Negros Occidental Gov. Bong Lacson, together with Asec. Venecio Legaspi of the Department of Migrant Workers, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Director Rissa Joy Moldes, led the celebration of Migrant Workers Day 2023, held today at Talisay City Public Plaza.

The activity was hosted by Talisay City LGU and the Federation of OFW Family Circle Talisay City, with the theme, “OFWs Saan Mang Panig ng Mundo, Galing at Katatagan Mo’y Hinahangaan”.

Also present at the event were Talisay City Vice Mayor Jose Nicolas Jalandoni, Councilor Gorgonio Treyes III, Salvacion Barrios, president of OFW Family Circle Talisay, and Executive Assistant to the Governor, Marie June Castro, among others.

Gov. Lacson, who also heads the Provincial Committee on Migration and Development (PCMD), said that the skills and expertise of migrant workers, along with their unwavering determination and readiness to take on difficult jobs deserve the utmost respect and appreciation.

“Apart from honoring the contribution of our migrant workers to our economy and society, we acknowledge the sacrifices that go with it,” he said.

Through the PCMD, the provincial government provided the provision of financial assistance to distressed OFWs and their families, “Cash for Work” for OFWs, and psychological counseling workshops for distressed OFWs and LGU federations. It also provided college scholarships for children of OFWs and degree completion scholarships for the OFWs.

The governor also said that Negros Occidental is the first province in the country to have a project with the International Labour Organization on the Establishment and Institutionalizing of a Gender-Responsive Migrant Resource Center.

The project, in coordination with OFW Negros Occidental Federation or ONOFI, and the Center for Migrant Advocacy, is part of the Spotlight Initiative of the UN Women and the European Union, and the Safe and Fair Programme of ILO in the ASEAN region.*#AbanseNegrense