Overseas Workers WElfare Administration (OWWA) regional director Eduardo E. Bellido says the joint memorandum of agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Justice will uphold the full protection of children of overseas Filipino workers. Bellido announces the signing of the MOA during Monday’s Kapehan sa Davao press conference. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a unified fight against the abuse of children who are left behind by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Davao City and the region.
“These three agencies will be involved in an intensified campaign to afford full protection to children left behind by their parents who are OFWs,” said OWWA-11 regional director Eduardo Bellido in the press conference Kapehan sa Dabaw in SM City on Monday, March 27.
The MOA is set to be signed on Thursday, March 30, he added.
Bellido said the MOA will enhance the campaigns and coordination of OWWA, DSWD and DOJ in looking at the welfare of the children of OFWs and defend them against abuse and exploitations.
He, however, admitted on the difficulties they are experiencing in monitoring the status of OFW children especially in cases of abuse and exploitation against them.
He said OWWA-11 is solely relying on reports from their families and from the DSWD – the reason why their agency could not provide statistics as to the number of OFW children who are abused and exploited in the city and the region.
Bellido is hopeful the MOA will pave the way for the formulation of action-programs that will monitor the children of OFWs in the area. A seminar will also be facilitated after the MOA signing, he added.
The seminar will be participated by representatives from the three agencies as well as the non-government organizations from Davao City and the region.(davaotoday.com)
