Filipino migrant workers and their families were honored by the Philippine government for their hard work and sacrifices for working overseas.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte presented awards to 25 Filipino migrant workers and organizations while six families were recipients of the Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA), Philippine News Agency reported.
The six Filipino migrant workers and their families received prizes from the president at the award ceremony, held at Rizal Hall in Malacañang Palace.
“This nation will always recognize your invaluable contribution to nation-building, and this administration will continue to craft policies and implement programs that will respond to your needs and protect your rights,” Duterte said in his speech during the award ceremony.
This year’s awardees included engineer Mohammad Ali Sulay Urao for outstanding achievement in community projects, engineer Arnulfo Navarro Geganto for entrepreneurship.
Josefina dela Chica Villamor received the MOFYA for land-based workers, while Domingo Cuanang Jr., Reynaldo Granada Gaitan and Gemelito Geloca received the MOFYA for sea-based workers.
Recipients of this year’s President Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations were selected from 96 nominations received by the Commission of Filipinos Overseas from 28 countries through 37 Philippine embassies and consulates.
The awards have been bestowed upon 460 Filipino individuals and organizations overseas for the last 25 years.