The official search for this year's model OFW family was launched by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Friday. The search officially titled 2010 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) was launched “in recognition of the outstanding achievement of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and their families.” At the launch, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the award is in line with President Benigno Aquino III's thrust to protect and look after the welfare of the OFWs acclaimed as “modern-day heroes”. “The awards' main objective (is) to recognize the outstanding achievements of OFWs and their families in the process of serving as role models and inspiration to the entire OFW community here and around the world,” Baldoz said. She cited previous winners like Steve Tamayo of the Tamayo's Catering, Restaurant and Flower Shop, who was the 2009 MOFYA special awardee for outstanding achievement in entrepreneurship. According to Baldoz, Tamayo began his OFW career as a waiter in Kuwait, but rose from the ranks to managerial position at the Kuwait International Hotel, until his return to the country following the Gulf War. Baldoz likewise cited the 2009 MOFYA awardee for outstanding achievement in community projects, nurse Zenaida Sanchez Naga, who conducted medical missions and put up a technical-vocational school providing valuable training in healthcare, computer literacy, food and beverage preparation and other skills courses. Naga was forced to return to the country from Libya to take care of her sick child in Lanao del Sur, Baldoz said. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Carmelita Dimzon explained the categories of the MOFYA, which are the following: u Regional winners, with the 17 regions having two MOFYA winners each, one from the land-based category and one from the sea-based category, or a total of 34 MOFYA regional winners. u Two national winners, one each from the land-based and sea-based categories chosen from among the regional winners. uTwo more national awardees to be conferred Special Awards on Outstanding Achievement in Community Projects and Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship. Groups who can nominate an OFW family for the award may include non-government or people's organizations, religious groups, community-based socio-civic groups and local government units. Baldoz said no nomination submitted by individuals shall be accepted. To be eligible for nomination, an OFW family must have the following qualifications: u The family is headed by an OFW, land-based or sea-based, formerly or presently working abroad with a formal or informal contract of employment or work permit, and with proof of OWWA membership. u The OFW, either married or single, is the head of the family, and has at least four years of work experience as an OFW. u The OFW family is known as a stable family in the locality. u Financially stable. The deadline for nominations is on Sep. 17, 2010. For the complete details on the criteria, documentary requirements and for other questions, interested individuals may visit the OWWA office located at 7th St. cor. F.B. Harrison, Pasay City, Philippines; call telephone nos. +632.8340719 and 24/7 OWWA Operations Center +632.8336992 (833OWWA); or e-mail [email protected] and [email protected].
