Rep. Batocabe Discusses OFW Issues with Filipino Community Leaders in Egypt
Congressman Rodel Batocabe and Philippine Ambassador to Egypt Leslie J. Baja (seated, 2nd from left to right, respectively) with the leaders of the Filipino community organizations in Cairo. Photo courtesy of Cong. Rodel Batocabe’s facebook page.
21 November 2017 CAIRO – AKO BICOL Party List Representative Rodel Batocabe held a dialogue with leaders of Filipino community organizations at the Philippine Embassy in Egypt, where he pledged to raise issues of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Egypt with the House of Representatives.
Rep. Batocabe updated attendees on government programs and legislation that will benefit OFWs, such as the national ID system for Filipinos, OWWA’s Enterprise Development and Loan Program (EDLP) for returning OFWs, OWWA and Philhealth’s supplemental medical assistance program for OFWs, and a proposal for social counseling centers for the families of the OFWs in the Philippines. He also discussed human trafficking, financial management, and other issues facing the 5,000 Filipinos in Egypt, many of whom are undocumented.
Since the Embassy does not have labor and welfare attaches, Rep. Batocabe supported a proposal for the conduct of periodic labor and welfare outreach missions to Egypt. These missions would facilitate membership applications in the Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), as well as provide other relevant assistance. END
For more information, visit www.cairope.dfa.gov.ph.
Cong. Rodel Batocabe during his talk with the Filipino community leaders. Photo courtesy of Cong. Rodel Batocabe’s facebook page.