OWWA awards top OFWs in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines - Two Overseas Filipino Workers, including a town mayor, was recognized by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-7 through an award that recognizes OFWs who promote good values and solidarity among their families that they have left in the Philippines.

The Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) was conceptualized pursuant to the objective of giving due acknowledgment to the outstanding achievements of the OFWs in managing family challenges.

“MOFYA stemmed and inspired by the stories of the OFWs because some OFWs who leave their families behind made their families dysfunctional,” said Wilfreda Misterio, OWWA regional director.

MOFYA has two categories, the Land-Based Category and the Sea-Based Category.

Elmer Kitong, a master mariner, and his family, who are from Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor, bested three others in the Sea-Based Category.

Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro, a former drilling consultant abroad, and his family, who hails from Suba, Poblacion, Daanbantayan, also bested three other nominees in the Land-Based Category.

Both received a plaque of recognition and will represent Central Visayas in the said categories in the national level on December.

Exequiel Sarcauga, director of the Department of Labor and Employment, said that most people focus only on the problems of being an OFW and not on the success stories.

“They are heroes in the country but they are those who are less recognized and it’s good they know that the government is taking care of you as you leave the country and while being here, you are still recognized,” Sarcauga said.

On the recent statistics of the OWWA-7, there are 162, 323 OFWs from the region as of early this month.   — (FREEMAN)