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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Physician from ZamPen awarded Outstanding Achievement in Community-Projects

By Mary Jane R. Amarado

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 11 -- A former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist from Zamboanga City took home the Special Award for Outstanding Achievement in Community-Projects.

Dr. Orlando Pansi Paber was chosen among the 34 contenders from other regions during the National Awards Ceremony of the Search for Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) held on December 6 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

Regional Director Hassan Jumdain said that Dr. Paber who represented the region, worked for nine years at the Dammam Central Hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. From his earnings abroad, he invested in purchasing equipment for his clinic which he maintains and upgrades to better serve his patients.

MOFYA which is an annual activity of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) was first conceptualized in 2003. It fetes the exemplary performance of OFWs who properly harnessed the financial gains of overseas employment and maintained strong family ties despite difficulties in migration.

He helped the marginalized fisher folks who are overly dependent on marine resources for livelihood including the Badjaos, who acquire cataract problem due to extreme sunlight exposure. Among the areas directly benefited by his free cataract surgeries are the provinces of Zamboanga, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

Driven by his strong desire to help the indigent, he has received various awards and recognition for his active civic involvement in the community.

His family was conferred as 1998 Model Family Awardee by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Multiple awards were received from LIONS Club International for services done in eye surgery of indigent cases. In 2001, he was awarded Model Citizen of Brgy. Guiwan.

Dr. Paber, who is also a part of the Tzu Chi Foundation, performs cataract surgeries to patients who are deprived of better living conditions. This unfailing participation in Medical Outreach Missions was recognized by his colleagues in Zamboanga Medical Society.

He was a nominee for most outstanding physician in year 2000, a two time awardee through the “Resolution” of Lamitan Sangguniang Bayan for “Sight First Operation”.

The recognition and success of the Paber Family are made even more meaningful because in all of their professional, creative and productive endeavors, they are driven by one desire and that is to be of service to others. (Mary Jane R. Amarado, LCO/OWWA9/PIA9/alt)