Ang gabay ng mga OFWs sa CNMI

The OFW Advisory Council was formed in 2004 with the intention of supporting the overseas Filipino workers here in the CNMI, in collaboration with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.

Planning Committee officer Dang Bernabe recalled that the group’s main objectives then were: to plan and implement common community projects and activities that would promote unity and foster friendship among the OFWs on Saipan and their adopted families and friends in the community.

“The volunteer group was formed in 2004 to support OWWA and POLO and, of course the Philippine Consulate with community activities in the CNMI, including health dissemination and special health projects,” Bernabe said.

Other activities were assistance to OFWs with labor cases through referrals and initial case evaluation. The council, said Bernabe, also established a legal fund treasury to be utilized as legal fees for specials cases. The group also helped OFWs who were terminated by their employers.

The OFW Advisory Council was also started with the purpose of assisting Philippine government offices in the CNMI in organizing and conducting seminars and trainings that would provide relevant information, impart knowledge and skills to OFWs.

Bernabe said the council started with over 32 charter members composed of several Filipino workers in the Commonwealth. There were five committees then: the Education Committee, Health Committee, Welfare Committee, Legal Affairs Committee and Culture and Sports Committee.

During its first year, the Advisory Council was behind such activities as health screening programs and a paralegal seminar for FILCOM leaders on police matters, immigration laws and labor laws.

The group also coordinated the 2004 Independence Day celebration dubbed “Pistang Pinoy” and the Christmas Festival “Paskong Pinoy.”

In 2005, the group decided to change its name to OWWA-OFW Support Group to make it more specific and true to its objectives, that is, “to provide assistance to the Filipino workers in the CNMI whether they have affiliations or without,” said Bernabe.

To date, the OWWA-OFW Support Group has been active in the CNMI, recently spearheading the OFW Family Fun Day that was held last March at the American Memorial Park.

The group also provided assistance to the victims of the mudslide tragedy in Southern Leyte, collecting more than $3,000 last month. The group remitted the money to the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council.

The OWWA-OFW Support Group also is active in sponsoring Filipino children so they could continue their schooling in the Philippines under the OWWA Tuloy Aral Project.

Bernabe said the group is currently active in visiting the OFWs barracks and dormitories to provide assistance.