BAGUIO CITY – The City Government of Baguio, through the Office of Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO),  launched the month- long activities  for the observance of Family Week  in a Kapihan forum,  Thursday.

Taking the cue from the Family Week International theme, ‘The Impact of Migration Around the World,’ the city’s celebration adopts the theme, ‘Migranteng Pamilyang Pilipino, Matatag Saan Man sa Mundo.’

According to  Tabanda, who also chairs the city council’s Committee on Family and Women, the plight of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is not easy and this year’s Family Week celebration aims for the public,  especially the family members of an OFW, to see the sacrifices and difficulties of an OFW and the role each one needs to play to strengthen their family.

‘We want to have a strong and progressive city and each family including that of OFWs, forms the city’s foundation  so we are working hard for their welfare as we want them to also to become a strong family, to be a strong foundation for a progressive city,’ Tabanda said.

Overseas Workers Welfare administration (OWWA-CAR) OIC Regional Director Evelyn Laranang confirmed  that there are now about eight million Filipinos working abroad. From January  to July 31 this year, there are already 16,444 OFW families  registered in their office.

‘Deployment of OFWs  continues either due to poverty, lack of local employment or for better opportunity for their family. Though the effect of overseas migration has its gains and pains, and most of the negative impact is absorbed  by the family,’ Laranang said.

Laranang also stressed the big help of OFW remittances to  the  country’s economy especially during the global economic recession.

Invited to share their views and experiences  during  the forums were Ms. Annie Labi,  an OFW returnee who worked for many years in Hongkong;   Jake Del Prado  whose wife is working abroad, Ms Mary Ann Bungag, President of Baguio Benguet Federation of OFW Returnees and Dependents (BBFORD);  Hannah Alipio,  a daughter of an OFW and Ahmed Abdulah Khayef,  a son of an OFW.

Both Alipio and Khayef, were also beneficiaries of OWWA’s Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP). Alipio  is  now a registered nurse while Khayef,  whose  single parent (mother) has been  working abroad since he was a baby, is  a graduating Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

Hannah and Ahmed  both expressed their gratitude to OWWA for   the EDSP scholarship program. They   encouraged   OFW children  to also  do their part and continue to strive in finishing their studies whatever the situation or consequences their families have to face. ** Lito Dar/PIA