OWWA cites two Aklanon OFWs
Because of their advocacy on the upliftment of community of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW's), two Aklanons were recently given citations by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) here.
Noel Chavez, acting chief of the OWWA regional office said that the two Aklanon OFW's who received the citation were Leon Magpusao of Barangay Unat, Ibajay Aklan while the other who received post-humous citation was Isidro Lachica of Banga, Aklan.
"The two Aklanon OFW's were given citations because they have pioneered the organizing of OFW communities in Aklan and in Western Visayas," Chavez said.
Magpusao, once worked as an English teacher in Melchor Memorial School and was forced to go back abroad to work as a technical and para-legal writer for Saudi Electric Company in Saudi Arabia.
Isidro's wife Marinella personally received the award given by the OWWA in Iloilo City.
Aside from Mapusao and Lachica, other individuals and OFW organizations who received the citations were Vilma Rubinos, Flordelisa Decolongon and Editha Iguiron. For group citations: Hublag DAO-OFW Association (Capiz); Maasin Overseas Contract Workers and Beneficiaries Association (Iloilo); Igbaras OFW and Dependents Association (Iloilo); Federation of Dumangas Overseas Filipino Workers Association, Barangay Bancal Carles OFW Association (Iloilo); San Jose OCW and Dependents Association (Antique); Emerald of OFW's; Tigbauan OFW and Beneficiaries Association, Asosasyon ng Kababaihan OCW's Beneficiaries; Calumpang OFW Association and the Cabatuan Overseas Filipino Workers Entrepreneurs Multi-Purpose Cooperative (COEMPCO).
A separate citation were also given to third mate Jose Noel Saquilayan, a seafarer who helped his Filipino colleagues survive after their Swedish freighter MV Finnbirch capsized in Baltic Sea after encountering rough weather on its way to Denmark last year.
(Jun Ariolo Aguirre)