Pampanga Govt, Malaysian Businessmen Partner for Kapampangan OFWs’ Welfare
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The provincial government through the Pampanga Action Center for OFW Concerns (PACOC) and some businessmen from Malaysia have vowed to strengthen their partnership for the protection of overseas Filipinos, particularly Kapampangan migrant workers.
The group led by K. Sudhagaran Stanley, chairperson of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants under the Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, visited the province recently to assess the Philippines, especially Pampanga, for possible business ventures that would generate more jobs for Filipinos that would address the problems of human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
“We want to present Filipinos the opportunity to work and reside here in their home country and to be with their loved ones, instead of coming abroad to work,” Stanley said.
He, however, cited the importance to ensure good working environment for all migrants in Malaysia as some people still prefer to work abroad despite being away from their families.
Meanwhile, PACOC chief Eliza Muñoz led a brief tour of the Haduan Aeta Community in Mabalacat City, where the Malaysian businessmen gave a small donation for the area’s development, and distributed food packs provided by Governor Lilia G. Pineda, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
“We always strive to improve the services we provide for the Kapampangan OFWs and their families, that’s why we are so grateful for the concern shown by our Malaysian partners. Through this partnership, we hope to finally eliminate cases of illegal recruitment and human trafficking in Malaysia and other countries,” Muñoz said.