Capitol Press Release

OFW families tapped as vanguards against illegal drugs

Lingayen- – -Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. welcomed some 1,200 OFW families from all over Region 1 in a fun-filled day of games and amusement during the 2015 OFW Family Day at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC) held last December 13.

The Governor, who expressed heartfelt gratitude, commended the OFW families for the support being extended to the provincial government especially in cascading its various programs and projects to the grassroots.

“Salamat sa paglilingkod bilang tagabantay ng inyong mga barangay lalo na sa usaping droga,” Gov. Espino cited as he underscored that the support accorded to the provincial government by the OFW families means a lot to the present administration.

It can be recalled that the provincial government launched a program “Bantay-Barangay, Tulong-Hanapbuhay” to enable the OFW families all throughout the province as among the force multipliers to combat drug abuse in the grassroots.

In addition, the Governor stressed that the provincial government is doing its best to provide programs and projects that will redound to the benefit of all OFWs and their families to include the OFW Center which was established under his administration to serve the migrant workers in the province and the provision of start-up capital for every OFW family association, among many others.

Citing of the present status of the Pangasinan Provincial Employment and Services Office headed by Alex F. Ferrer, which has reached its Hall of Fame status as the country’s Best PESO, Gov. Espino said everything that the provincial government has established over the past 8 years is dedicated to the unsung heroes of the province—the OFWs.

Meanwhile, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region I Officer-in-Charge Sergio Borgueta, Jr. said that the occasion is envisioned to pay tribute to all OFWs and their families in the region who have sacrificed a lot.

Borgueta likewise said that the OWWA intends to transform the annual event as a provincial activity to attract more participants.

Highlights of the event include raffle draws and games such as Christmas tree making contest and talent competitions among representatives from Western Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Ilocos Norte and Eastern Pangasinan. (Ruby R. Bernardino)