‘Pag-amoma’ program seeks to help OFWs

CEBU, Philippines- Overseas Filipino Workers would no longer queue outside various government offices seeking employment and legal assistance once Cebu City Hall’s newly launched “Pag-Amoma” program is fully-implemented.

Pag-amoma, which stands for “Pag-alagad ug Gugma Alang sa mga OFWs ug Migrante Abroad,” was conceptualized by the People Managers Association of the Philippines National President and former Department of Labor and Employment undersecretary Atty. Josephus Jimenez.

PMAP is formerly known as Personnel Management Association of the Philippines, which is the premier organization of HR professionals and people managers.

This was in consonance with Mayor Michael Rama’s pronouncement during his State of the City Address “to initiate activities and interventions for the families of OFWs.”

The program focuses on the integration of services of DOLE, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, National Labor Relations Commission, among other agencies to city hall in order to address the plights of OFWs and their families.

OFWs Support Coordination Unit would be created under the Office of the Mayor through the management of the city’s Department of Manpower Development and Placement to cater the needs of OFWs in line with “proactive and comprehensive” programs, such as financial literacy program (kaalam alang sa kaugmaon); pre-departure orientation seminar; integrated legal assistance program in labor problems and litigations; seminars and learning sessions; annual conferences.

OSCU would also be responsible in raising awareness on overseas’ policies among OFWs; employment assistance; addressing OFWs complaints; and the like.

“Ang atong tumong mao ang paghatag og tukma nga kasayuran sa tanang Pilipino nga moadto sa laing nasod nga di sila mabiktima ug aron di sila himuong negosyo sa uban. Paghatag usab og serbisyo sa pamilya sa mga OFWs,” Jimenez said.

As to the implementation, Jimenez said the city government is planning to tap and coordinate with other government agencies and to accredit law students from different law schools in the city through DOLE’s Special Program Employment of Students.

The city is set to enter into an agreement with various educational institutions for the said program.

The students, in return, would be receiving salaries and allowances from the City Hall.

“Ang atong mga volunteer students’ dako nga tabang sa mga kabus sa paghatag og equal opportunity for justice,” Jimenez said.

Rama is optimistic that the program would succeed. - /JMD) (FREEMAN)