ZAMBOANGA CITY, January 28 - - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an attached agency of the Department of Labor which is the welfare agency for OFWs recently participated in an advocacy forum aimed at enlisting public support on the campaign against HIV/AIDS.
Dubbed "Annual Migrant Workers Forum on AIDS/HIV", the forum was organized by the City Health Office (CHO), in coordination with the Human Development and Empowerment Services and the Department of Health-Global Fund R6 HIV Project through the AIDS Society of the Philippines.
A report of OWWA Regional Office No. 9 reaching the office of DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said OWWA's participation in the forum is in line with its active knowledge and awareness campaign among OFWs on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
"The forum was an opportunity to inform the participants about measures aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of the HIV-AIDS virus," said the regional office in its report.
"It was also intended to eliminate the stigma and the discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS," it added.
A total of 45 participants, comprising of family members, students, peer groups and overseas Filipino workers attended the forum.
Dr. Kibtiya Uddin and Hazel Manalang were the main forum presentors. Dr. Uddin's discussion focused on the causes, modes of transmission, consequences, and means of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, while Ms. Manalang discussed the provisions of R.A. 8504, also known as the “Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998”, on current government policies and measures for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.
OWWA Officer Rosellie Florida also made a presentation at the forum, emphasizing the education and training benefits that the OWWA provides to member-OFWs. She also encouraged migrant workers to undergo legal processes in working abroad to ensure their well-being as overseas workers. (With a report from Mary Jane R. Amarado, OWWA9/PIA9/alt)