30/09/2025
๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐: ๐ข๐ช๐ช๐-๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐
In a historic step toward stronger collaboration and support for Overseas Filipino Workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration โ Regional Welfare Office VII (OWWA-7) successfully held its joint Capacity Building Seminar for PESO Managers and OFW Help Desk Officers from Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
The event, themed โ2025 OWWAโs Programs and Services: Bridging the Gap and Ways Forward,โ took place on September 11โ12, 2025, at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Nivel Hills, Cebu City. A total of 188 participants attended the two-day seminar, which brought together frontline stakeholders to align their efforts and deepen their understanding of OWWAโs services for OFWs and their families.
๐๐๐ฌ ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ฆ:
The program commenced with a message from Mr. Reynaldo B. Jacalan, OIC-Regional Director of OWWA Region VII. His speech emphasized the importance of inter-provincial collaboration in ensuring responsive service for OFWs.
Ms. Angela B. Saban, Family Welfare Officer from Cebu, introduced the dayโs resource speaker, Atty. Johnson G. Caรฑete, who facilitated a dynamic and interactive session on Structured Learning Exercises (SLEs).
Participants were divided into five groups and engaged in a series of team-building and creative activities. These included symbolic group branding, creating of cheers and slogan, and themed outputs using limited resources. Among the highlights was a challenge where each group designed a Filipiniana-inspired outfit using basic materials for their group model.
These exercises promoted teamwork, resourcefulness, and creative problem-solvingโskills essential for managing OFW-related concerns at the grassroots level. The session also deepened their understanding of group identity and purpose in public service. The afternoon continued with workshop sessions and group output presentations. The day's learnings were synthesized and closed with remarks from Dineza Z. Gelle, OIC of the Programs and Services Division.
๐ฆ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ง: ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ด๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
A lively Solidarity Night followed in the evening, where participants celebrated their shared mission through food, fellowship, and fun.
The evening program opened with Ms. Mylah Joy L. Corag, OWWO I, who warmly welcomed the participants. Following dinner, Plaques of Appreciation were presented to Local Government Units and academic partners from Negros Oriental and Siquijor. This moment held added significance, as it marked the final participation of these partner provinces in the event due to their forthcoming transfer as Negros Island Region (NIR)โ making the recognition a fitting tribute to their lasting support.
As part of the eveningโs recognition segment, OWWA-7 honored the Top 3 LGUs in Region 7 with the highest number of active and registered OFW Family Circles (OFCs). Leading the list was Talibon, Bohol with 25 OFCs, followed by Daanbantayan, Cebu with 13, and Madridejos, Cebu with 6.
In addition, the Top 3 LGUs with the most number of OFC beneficiaries under the Tulong PUSO Program were also recognized. Talibon, Bohol once again ranked first with 7 OFCs granted a total of โฑ5.1 million, followed by Madridejos, Cebu with 4 OFCs receiving โฑ3.7 million, and Calape with 2 OFCs granted โฑ1 million.
The night continued with creative presentations and raffles featuring performances. Cheers and laughter filled the ballroom as participants bonded over shared experiences.
Finally, the event honored the Male and Female Stars of the Night, as well as the Top 3 group presentations, in a fun and festive awards segment.
๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ฆ: ๐ฃ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐
Day 2 began with a regional overview of OFWs in Region 7 presented by Ms. Angelica L. Calacat, Family Welfare Officer from Cebu.
Participants then received program updates from the respective program in-charges, covering key areas such as education and training benefits, social benefits, welfare case handling including SEnA and repatriation, membership services, and reintegration and family development support.
A lively open forum followed, where participants clarified issues, raised local challenges, and exchanged solutions with the resource persons.
Ms. Maria Vilma C. Yorong, PESOMAP Central Visayas President, presented PESOMAP updates and strategies to further empower PESO offices in delivering employment services and OFW assistance.
The event concluded with lunch and departure, leaving a strong momentum for inter-provincial coordination and improved OFW services. This landmark seminar strengthened knowledge and partnerships across four provinces, with OWWA RWO VII leading the way to ensure no OFW is left behind โ truly bridging the gap and moving forward together. Even with the forthcoming regional realignments, the shared commitment to serve OFWs remains steadfast across all areas. //MRDG
#๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ข๐ช๐ช๐๐ฆ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ
