OWWA to roll out OFW Children’s Circle

Metro Manila, July 19 ------ The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is set to roll out an initiative aiming to address the impact of the separation of parents working as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their children.

Labor Secretary Benny Laguesma and Migrant Workers Chief Susan Toots Ople approved a resolution allocating funds for the formation of the “OFW Children’s Circle.” “It is imperative to organize the OFW Children’s Circle to achieve their potential in community and nation building. It will also address the societal impact of labor migration such as separation from their OFW-parent, negative effects on their well-being and mental health, and help them cope with the negative effects and social costs of migration and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the resolution stated. The OFW Children’s Circle also aims to showcase the creative skills and talents of OFW children, improve their socialization skills, foster awareness in civic advocacies, build camaraderie among fellow OFW children, and take part in policy and program development of the government. In an interview, OWWA chief Hans Cacdac said that the formation of the community of OFW children was also one of the orders of President Bongbong Marcos to Ople. “We will form groups of OFW children in the Philippines left behind by their OFW parents and address their societal needs in terms of cushioning the negative effects of the absence of their OFW loved ones,” Cacdac said. The OWWA board has approved a P15 million funding for the activities of the OFW Children's Circle for this year. Cacdac said the rollout of the programs will be pilot tested in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, and the Davao Region. Cacdac hopes to kickstart the OFW Children's Circle in August with an initial target of 200,000 OFW children-members.

Source: cnnphilippines.com