The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) hailed its new administrator former OWWA deputy administrator and showbiz personality Arnaldo "Arnell" Ignacio.
In its first 180 days of his administration, OWWA's programs and services were optimized and fast tracked throughout the regions and overseas.
Welfare assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OWFs) were put front and center, and timely and appropriate programs catering to OFW issues are being addressed.
Moreover, Ignacio's thrust for his term is boosting accessibility and educating the public with OWWA's programs and services down to the barangay level thru information dissemination and establishing a strengthened and centralized welfare cases to cater for OFWs abroad as well as by pushing forth better work environment for migrant workers.
Ignacio said that the OWWA is revitalizing a vibrant arena together with Deputy Administrators Atty. Mary Melanie H. Quino and Emma V. Sinclair.
Among the newly launched projects of OWWA were formation of OFW children's circle and programs, health and services for OFWS and families, calamity assistance to OFWs and families, pre-departure education program, Iskolar ng Bagong Bayani, repatriation and post repatriation assistance, Parokya ng OWWA, OWWA coffee counter, and welfare assistance and complaints center.
Other planned programs of OWWA were OFWF lounge at the international airports, OWWA balik-saya, and OWWA mobile emergency response center.
In November 2022, Ignacio got emotional as he shared the story behind the creation of Migrants’ Brew amidst the criticism that came with its establishment. He said that the launching of Migrants’ Brew is one way to show solidarity with migrant workers and their families.
He explained that, “we already have all the mechanisms on how to help, we have the program, OWWA has been alive and helping for 40 years.”
“Ayokong bibigyan lang sila ng monoblock, papaupuin at bibigyan ng assistance, I want them to feel na VIP sila sa OWWA, coffee of your choice, all for free.”
“For the OFWs, hindi na kayo sisilip pa (sa mga coffee shop na 160 pesos per cup), may kape na kayong pangsarili, walang bayad ito! Gusto kong matikman ng ating mga OFWs ang made in Italy hindi lang basta basta 3in1 coffee."
Ignacio hopes that OWWA can build more of this kind of project all over the country and with every OWWA Regional Welfare Office, 17 offices all over the Philippines, and 24 offices all over the world.
“Continuously, we will keep on churning out programs to make you feel how special you are to our country," he said.
The creation of Migrants' Brew has been criticized by some for being insensitive to the needs of migrant workers, but Ignacio elucidates that the launching of Migrants' Brew is a means to provide assistance and care to these workers.