ABU DHABI: Laywer Ophelia Almenario, who concluded her more than 4 years’ stint as the Philippine Embassy’s labor attaché last Oct. 27, is all praises for the various Filipino community organizations who, she said, have tirelessly been working with the Overseas Workers Welfare Office (OWWA) in, through their own little way, making life better for distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The former labor attaché said the Bayanihan Council, an umbrella organization of various Filipino groups in the UAE’s capital city, was instrumental in training the distressed OFWs to help them towards a new beginning back home.
“Yung kanilang pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan na nasa centers – total po ang support nila yung pag-se-share ng kanilang time, effort, and expertise. Lahat ng nalalaman nila binigay nila ng todo nang walang hinihintay na kapalit.
“Nagbigay sila ng mga training para pagbalik ng ating mga kababayan na distressed workers ay mayroon silang mapapagumpisahan through the training. The Bayanihan Council is great talaga. Napaka-selfless nila sa pagtulong,” said Almenario.
Almenario herself has supported thousands of OFWs in their labor concerns and reintegration back to the Philippines in her capacity as labor attaché.
Almenario also oversaw three labor-related concerns between the Philippines and the UAE which includes the MOU on Labor Cooperation, the Protocol for Domestic Workers which was part of the aforementioned MOU, as well as the MOU between TESDA and NQA.
“It was a rewarding experience. Nakaka-taba ng puso naman talaga na nakatulong ako to make a difference in the lives of our OFWs. Nakatulong ako sa kanila in one way or another,” said Almenario.
Almenario also extended her sincerest gratitude to her staff for their relentless support especially in their efforts to aid distressed OFWs.
“Natutuwa ako sa aking mga staff, they were all hard working and very cooperative. I wouldn’t have been able to do everything that I have done without them. Pati na rin sa Filipino community for their support. Total talaga ang aking pasasalamat sa Filipino community. Lahat po sila supportive sa aming mga activities, projects, programs sa DOLE at OWWA,” shared Almenario.
Labor Attaché Alejandro Padaen has been appointed to the Abu Dhabi post as of October 28.
