05 September 2016 - Philippine Consul General Imelda M. Panolong of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, attended the 1st OFW SUMMIT on August 26 at the Orient Pearl Restaurant in Balad, Jeddah. The event was hosted by the Movement for Real Reform and Development – Overseas Filipino Workers (MRRD-OFW), GBHFI 1 GANAP Guardians, Economic and Social Command (ECOSOC), United Bangsaranao Council (UBC), Philippine Professional Organizations (PPO-WRSA), Migrante Western Region, and OFW Council of Leaders (OCL).
During her remarks, Consul General Panolong expressed her thanks for being invited as the Guest of Honor in the important gathering. She also congratulated the various organizations for hosting the 1st OFW Summit and for promoting leadership, cooperation and camaraderie among their members. She stated that OFW concerns are best addressed by OFWs on the ground, who extend their concern to the welfare of their fellow OFWs. A united OFW community can effect meaningful change that should improve the living and working conditions of Filipino migrant workers and their families. She further said that the proposals arrived at, at the end of the summit must reach the decision- and policy-makers in Manila, and more importantly, incorporated into legislation, translated into policy guidelines and implemented into concrete action, instead of just words uttered or written on paper.
The 1st OFW Summit was also attended by DSWD Assistant Secretary Hope Hervilla, who was in Jeddah to provide assistance to distressed OFWs. END
