By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
First Lady Liza Marcos led the opening of the third leg of the “Bagong Bayani ng Mundo: OFW Serbisyo Caravan” in Dubai over the weekend, as part of the administration’s push to bring faster government services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The caravan, held on Saturday, was held in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make government services more accessible to OFWs in the United Arab Emirates.
More than 100 OFWs benefited from the caravan, including patients battling cancer.
Medical and disability assistance were provided through the combined efforts of the DMW AKSYON (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan) Fund, OWWA eCARES digital services, and Social Security System.
Medical services were also supported by the LAB for All program of the First Lady and the Presidential Action Center.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology delivered e-government services, including OFW Pass registration via the eGovPH app, online employment contract verification, and access to the Kumusta Kabayan app.
Aside from the caravan, the First Lady met with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Business Council and Filipino community leaders to further strengthen ties between Filipinos and private sector partners in the Middle East.
President Marcos is scheduled to fly to the UAE on Monday to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global forum bringing together world leaders to discuss solutions to environmental and development challenges.
The President is expected to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country, as well as a defense cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening collaboration between Manila and Abu Dhabi. (PNA)
