The 2012 Presidential Awards for overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) announced that they are now ready to accept nominations.

According to the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. nomination forms for individuals or groups are available at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. The Embassy can accept nominations from the following US states:

·         Alabama

·         District of Columbia

·         Florida

·         Georgia

·         Kentucky

·         Maryland

·         North Carolina

·         South Carolina 

·         Tennessee

·         Virginia

·         West Virginia

The Embassy said, "Established by virtue of an Executive Order signed in 1991, the Presidential Awards is a biennial search to recognize exceptional individuals and organizations for their outstanding contribution to Philippine progress and development."

Since its launch, more or less 338 Filipino individuals and organizations from abroad and their foreign partners have received the award.

Here are the awards categories:

·         Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) Award,

·         Banaag Award,

·         Kaanib ng Bayan Award, and

·         Pamana ng Pilipino Award.

For more information, one can visit www.2012presidentialawards.cfo.gov.ph; or call the Philippine Embassy at 202-4679398.

Those who wish to send nominations should submit the duly completed nomination form with relevant information such as personal data, summary of relevant contributions with specific data and other supporting documents to the Philippine Embassy not later than April 16, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.

It added, "Parties residing in other states are requested to send their nomination forms to the Philippine Consulate General exercising jurisdiction over them."