ZAMBOANGA CITY, October 10 - - The Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Zamboanga Peninsula Region has awarded
this year’s regional winners for the Model OFW Family of the Year Awards
(MOFYA) in a ceremony held on October 6, 2012 at the Garden Orchid Hotel, this
city.
The awardees were the family of Dr. Orlando
P. Paber from Zamboanga City for Land-Based category, while the family of Mr.
Ramon G. Lubaton from Dipolog City bagged the award for Sea-Based category.
OFW
Paber worked as a physician at Dammam Central Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia for 9 years and specializes in EENT. He is currently a resident
physician at the Zamboanga Doctors Hospital.
Meanwhile, OFW Lubaton was a chef in a cruise ship, working
for almost 20 years overseas. He was nominated by the City Government of Dipolog
and the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP).
Paber and Lubaton will represent Region 9
in the National Awarding Ceremony to be held on December 6, 2012 in Manila.
The event was graced by the presence of Congresswoman
of the 1st Congressional District of Zamboanga City and House Deputy
Speaker Ma. Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar.
Also present during the occasion were Heads and representatives of the DOLE –
Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), corporate sponsors, national government agencies,
non-government organizations, OFW Family Circles of Region IX, licensed recruitment
agencies in Zamboanga City and media partners.
As an offshoot, an audio-visual
presentation of the annual awarding ceremonies for the past seven (7) years
highlighted the event in its goal to give due recognition to the outstanding
achievements of the Overseas Filipino Workers and their families who
exemplified strong family ties, contributed positive outcome in the community,
and who have demonstrated financial stability and success in business venture. Another
highlight was the presentation of the four regional finalists and their
achievements through Pro-Show.
Now on its eighth year, OWWA continues to
give honor to OFWs and their families. This year’s sponsors are Globe Telecom,
Inc. and Bank of the Philippine Islands.
Each awardee received a plaque, P20,000.00
in the form of G-Cash, Trolley Bags and 10 pcs Globe IDD cards worth P100 each
from Globe Telecom.
This year’s Regional Screening and
Selection Committee were composed of OWWA Regional Director Hassan Gabra T.
Jumdain, Ladjakaya S. Abubakar (OFW Federation), Nida P. Dans (Non-Government
Organization), Ramon L. Follosco (Media) and Angeles C. Engalla (MOFYA 2012 Coordinator).
The criteria for judging included the
following: wholesome OFW Family (50%), civic / community involvement of OFW
& Family (20%),success in OFW and / or family members education or
profession (20%) and success in managing family finances (10%).
The event gave a traditional Mindanaoan
atmosphere as all OWWA staff were dressed in colorful Muslim Attire and the guests were
entertained with a cultural and ethnic dance presentation performed by the
Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College Cultural Dance Troupe.
(MJRA/OWWA9/PIA9/alt)