OWWA-6 recognizes model OFW families

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) recently recognized the winners of Model Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Family Award for 2011.

OWWA-6 Dir. Samuel S. Madrid said the awardee for the Land-Based Category is the Alba Family from Talisay, Negros Occidental, while the Dalen Family, from Calinog Iloilo won the Sea-based Category.

Madrid said the annual search for Model Overseas Filipino Worker Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) is the government’s way of recognizing the contributions of these OFWs to the community and to the country.

He added that it is also a way of honoring them for their significant accomplishments and make their success stories serve as models for other OFWs to emulate.

Rizza Joy Mapa, OWWA information officer, said there were five nominees in all for Western Visayas: Ulpricio Gamayao from Dumangas and Hector Dalen from Calinog, for Sea-based category; Orlando Alba from Talisay, Negros Occidental, Rolando Arcasitas, Bacolod City and Ceferino Tongan, from San Jose Antique.

The three non-winners were given special awards: the Tongan family for Success in Managing Family finances; the Gamayao Family for Success in Civic/community Involvement; and, the Arcasitas family for Success in Children’s Education.

The nominees were evaluated according to indicators, like, Wholesome OFW Family; Civic/Community Involvement, Success in Children’s/Family Members’ Education, and Success in Managing Family Finances.

Meanwhile, in his speech during the awarding ceremonies, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog paid tribute to the OFWs, saying he, too, is married to an OFW, a nurse who works in Canada.

Mabilog said he appreciated the government, through OWWA, to recognize the efforts and exceptional achievements of the OFWs, as they face so many challenges and bear a lot of sacrifices in their work.

“Any recognition from government will surely make them proud and happy,” Mabilog said.

The MOFYA is already on its 7th year, and the region’s winners will represent Western Visayas in the MOFYA National Search this December.

source: PIA