04 April 2016 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Regional Consular Office (RCO) in Puerto Princesa, in cooperation with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-Puerto Princesa), the Office of the Governor of Palawan, the Puerto Princesa City Public Employment Service Office (City PESO) and Robinsons Place Palawan, marked the celebration of 2016 National Women’s Month during its “Handa Ka Na Bang Mag-abroad?” (HKNBM) Seminar for OFWs and Emigrants held on March 12 at the Robinsons Place Expansion Area Activity Center, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The celebration started off with a parade around the Robinsons Mall area. The participants held white, lavender, yellow and pink balloons and National Women’s Month flaglets and greeted all women along the way a “Happy Women’s Month!” The parade’s final stop was in front of the Robinsons Expansion Area Activity Center, where they held a symbolic releasing of balloons to signify the uplifting of women’s rights and welfare.
In her welcome remarks, Ms. Liza Jane V. Estalilla, Officer-in-Charge of RCO Puerto Princesa, emphasized the role of the “Handa Ka Na Bang Mag-abroad?” Education Program in empowering Palaweños aspiring to work overseas, especially women, against becoming vulnerable targets of human trafficking, illegal recruitment and drug syndicates. She also said that the strong collaborative efforts of RCO Puerto Princesa, the OWWA-Puerto Princesa and the City PESO in conducting the HKNBM monthly is a shining example of the one-country team approach that emulates this year’s National Women’s Month theme, “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda.”
Ms. Ma. Cristina Gomez-Remollo, Skills Training and Employment Program Manager of the Governor’s Office; Ms. Aileen Cynthia Amurao, Puerto Princesa City Tourism Officer; and Ms. Jane Urbanek, one of Palawan’s Outstanding Women Awardees and GAD advocate, shared their inspirational messages and cited stories about Filipino women and their journeys as mothers and overseas Filipino workers.
Mr. Francis Machado of the Puerto Princesa City Information Office, who served as Master of Ceremonies, also sang “Ugoy ng Duyan” and “Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak” as part of the program.
The “Handa Ka Na Bang Mag-Abroad?” lectures and open forum were conducted by Ms. Estalilla, Ms. Adignita A. Elijan, Family Welfare Officer of OWWA, Ms. Gomez-Remollo, and Mr. Demetrio A. Lopez Jr., City PESO Manager.
One hundred seventy-nine (179) participants ranging from aspiring OFWs to personnel from the HKNBM partner agencies attended the event. Representatives from Prosel Pharmaceuticals gave free blood pressure checks and samples of medicines and vitamins. Certificates of Participation were awarded at the end of the seminar. Snacks were served and raffle prizes were given away courtesy of the DFA, OWWA, Governor-STEP, and City PESO team and the Robinsons Place-Palawan Management. END
