The Holy Cross of Davao College’s Institute of ASEAN-European Studies (IAES) became the backdrop for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) XI’s two-day Meet and Greet. This significant gathering took place at the HCDC’s 7th Floor Function Hall on August 10-11, 2023.
The newly-formed DMW, a merge of seven major agencies – including POEA, OUMWA, ILAB, POLO, NMP, NRC, and OSWA – used the occasion to discuss their expanded mandate: safeguarding the rights and ensuring the well-being of overseas Filipino workers. Attendees were introduced to DMW’s comprehensive array of services, catering to outbound and returning OFWs at every phase of their journey abroad.
HCDC President Br. Noelvic Deloria, S.C, expressed his gratitude for allowing HCDC to be part of this significant event.
“It is a great joy that we are given this opportunity to host this meet and greet. We are so grateful here at HCDC that we are part of your journey,” Deloria said.
With representatives from various NGOs, professional bodies, and civil society groups, the event fostered constructive dialogues, with the Holy Cross of Davao College’s Office of the College Guidance and Counseling and the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Program actively participating. Their feedback, along with other stakeholders, was synthesized, pinpointing key issues and possible courses of action. The DMW pledged to review the collected insights and to outline subsequent engagement steps.
Labor Attache II/OIC-Regional Director of DMW RO-XI, Atty. Angela Librado-Trinidad shared her hopes that this event will become a crucial step in exploring more areas of collaboration with stakeholders.
“We hope for more collaboration with our stakeholders. Also, to enhance what they have and then compliment what they don’t have in order for us to be able to provide better services for our OFWs,” Trinidad said.
In the succeeding months, the DMW will continue to administer deeper rounds of talks and pursue active engagement with its stakeholders across sectors to improve the lives of overseas Filipino workers.
HCDC’s Institute of ASEAN-European Studies (IAES) will continue to provide a venue for scholarly conversations and training that address economic, social, cultural, and political concerns of overseas Filipino workers, their families, and partner organizations in line with our institution’s commitment to cultivating an integral liberating formation of persons who will become effective agents of social transformation.