ZAMBOANGA CITY - In line with its endeavour to provide the best quality of service and to reach out to as many OFWs and their dependents as possible, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration RWO IX conducted a Signing of Memoranda of Understanding with various LGUs, NGOs and Academicians recently.

The said event is part of the convergence program of the DOLE Family of agencies, to wit OWWA, POEA, DOLE and TESDA. This resulted to Fifty Six (56) OFW Help Desks to be established in Zamboanga Peninsula.

OWWA-IX Regional Director, Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain, said that this endeavour will bring their programs much closer to their clients hence a more convenient availment of the OWWA's services.

"Our OFWs especially in the far areas like Zamboanga del Norte, Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur, need not go to our regional office here in Zamboanga City anymore to inquire or avail of our services, as this will be attended to by the help desks. Just imagine how inconvenient it will be for the OFWs if they will still travel from their place to Zamboanga City. It would cost them so much time, money and effort," Director Jumdain said.

Before the signing of the MOUs, the parties which composed of LGUs, NGOs and Academicians that will operate the Help Desks in their respective areas attended a forum on Migrant Workers Act 8042 as amended by RA 10022 which was thoroughly discussed by a brilliant practicing lawyer and professor, Atty. Aysar T. Amilbangsa.

The OFW Help Desks shall complement the Family Welfare Officers at the DOLE-9 assisting and attending to the concerns of OWWA's clientele.

As of press time, OWWA, DOLE, POEA and TESDA have now fully accomplished the establishment of the Help Desks including one in the province of Tawi-Tawi as part of the One-Stop Processing Center (OSPC) Program.

Meanwhile, last June 25-27, Director Jumdain together with POEA OIC Marietta M. Bellotindos and 12 Licensed Recruitment Agencies went to Jolo, Sulu in invitation of the Municipality Mayor, Hon. Hussin U. Amin to conduct a jobs fair and orientation on OWWA's programs and services including PEOS. Sponsored by OWWA, DOLE and POEA, the event paved a way for more employment opportunities for the local residents of the province.