Three government agencies are set to ink a joint memorandum of agreement (MOA) on March 30 at The Ritz Hotel, Garden Oases, Obrero St., Davao City to collaborate in providing protection to children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Director Eduardo Bellido on Monday, March 27, said OWWA, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) will step up their effort to boost their campaign in addressing the plight of the families and children of OFWs who were left behind while they are working abroad in search for greener pastures to provide for their family a better life.

“The MOA will provide a strategic component to further enhance the campaign and coordination among government agencies to provide welfare assistance, prevention, and remedial mechanism against child abuse and exploitation, particularly on the children of OFWs,” Bellido said.

Pursuant to the joint agreement, there will be a seminar for the protection of children left behind by the OFWs.

“It aims to heighten awareness on the issue and problems concerning children left behind by the OFWs, identify appropriate intervention to ensure protection of children left behind, intensify child protection campaign on violence against children, and establish convergence program with Owwa, DSWD, DOJ and LGUs (local government units),” Bellido said.

On November 12 last year, the two-year-old son of Erlinda Cagalitan, an OFW, was mauled to death by his guardian Sarah Jane Alcain and her husband Ronilo Alcain in Lacson Village, Calinan, Davao City.

This is just an example of the case that OWWA wanted to address so that there will be no more children who will die and will be abused while their parents are away.

The event, meanwhile, will be attended by OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac and Deputy Administrator for operations Brigido Dulay who are among the honored guests of the event together with DOJ Regional Prosecutor Janet Grace Dalisay-Fabrero and DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat.

They are expecting around 130 participants from the government and non-government organizations while OFW Family Circles in Davao Region are also expected to participate in the activity. (Sun Star)