17 June 2016 - The DFA Regional Consular Office in Puerto Princesa (RCO Puerto Princesa) in cooperation with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-Puerto Princesa), the Office of the Governor of Palawan’s Skills Training and Employment Program (Governor STEP), the Puerto Princesa City Public Employment Service Office (City PESO) and Robinson Place Palawan led the celebration of the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and Migrant Workers’ Day with 174 aspiring OFWs from Palawan on June 11 at the Expansion Area Activity Center of Robinsons Place-Palawan in Puerto Princesa City.
The celebration was held in conjunction with RCO Puerto Princesa’s 15th “Handa Ka Na Bang Mag-abroad?” (HKNBM) Seminar for OFWs and Emigrants, which is part of its Gender and Development (GAD) Program. The seminar is conducted monthly to educate passport applicants and other aspiring OFWs and emigrants in Palawan on the various services of RCO Puerto Princesa and its partner agencies. The participants are taught how to prepare themselves physically, psychologically and emotionally in facing the many challenges of working overseas. This program is also an advocacy against illegal recruitment, drug and human trafficking, and violence against women and children (VAWC). Due to its geographical location, Palawan has been identified as one of the hot spots of illegal recruitment and human trafficking activities.
During the program, Ms. Liza Jane V. Estalilla, Officer-in-Charge of RCO Puerto Princesa, read the message of President Benigno S. Aquino III, followed by the reading of the message of Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras by Mr. Donald D. Ocampo of RCO Puerto Princesa. Mr. Orphy Ordinario, Program Manager for Education of the Palawan Provincial Government, represented Governor Jose Chavez Alvarez and read his inspirational message while Ms. Aileen Cynthia Amurao, City Tourism Officer, read the message of Mayor Lucilo Bayron of Puerto Princesa City. Mr. Francis Machado of the Puerto Princesa City Information Office served as the Master of Ceremonies and serenaded the participants with some inspiring songs.
The HKNBM Team presented a Certificate of Recognition to Ms. Aileen Cynthia Amurao for her unwavering support and significant contributions as one of the founding leaders of the HKNBM Education Program from OFWs and Emigrants. Ms. Amurao was then the Manager of the Puerto Princesa City PESO when the HKNBM Education Program was launched by the DFA-OWWA-Governor-STEP-City PESO Team in December 2014. As of this date, more than two thousand (2,000) aspiring OFWs, emigrants, employees from other government agencies and students have participated in the HKNBM seminars.
After the seminar, the participants were treated with snacks and raffle prizes courtesy of RCO Puerto Princesa, OWWA, the Governor’s Office, City PESO and Robinsons Place - Palawan.
On June 12, RCO Puerto Princesa personnel also joined other government agencies in the Philippine Independence Day parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park in Puerto Princesa City. This event was jointly organized by the Provincial Government of Palawan and the City Government of Puerto Princesa. END