Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has formally launched the Pamaskong Handog sa OFWs 2005, today, December 16, 2005.

Sto. Tomas, together with other staff of DOLE and other government agencies, welcomed hundreds of vacationing OFWs who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Lucky OFW passenger, Alicia Gabasa Ponce, a midwife at the Al-Fakkih Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for 14 years, was congratulated and handed a P10, 000 cheque to an arriving overseas worker.

Sto. Tomas said that no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to personally hand out gifts and cheer up less fortunate OFWs and their families during the "OWWAish Ko Lang," a special feature of the forthcoming OFW Family Day as part of the Pamaskong Handog sa OFWs set for next week.

On the other hand, not all OFWs were fortunate with their struggle, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to personally hand out gifts and cheer up less fortunate OFWs and their families during the "OWWAish Ko Lang," a special feature of the forthcoming OFW Family Day as part of the Pamaskong Handog sa OFWs set for next week.

"Aware that not all OFWs who return from work abroad are blessed with success, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will reach out to the less fortunate OFWs by choosing an OFW family from each region in the country to be gifted with goods and a livelihood project," Sto. Tomas said.

"Like last year, the Pamaskong Handog in 2005 will be highlighted by the Pamaskong Salubong or Presidential Welcome wherein President Arroyo will lead in welcoming the OFWs at the NAIA a day or two before Christmas Day," she added.

Pamaskong Handog sa OFWs is the continuous efforts and services of the government to the OFWs and their families, no matter how fortunate or unfortunate they are in their struggle in foreign land.

The surprise gifts from the President include a Norkis-Yamaha mobile livelihood store for four lucky OFWs during the Presidential Salubong.

"We have set up kiosks and satellite counters inside Robinson's Galleria, Fiesta Duty Free, and in SM in Cebu, Iloilo, and San Fernando, Pampanga where OFWs can transact official transactions involving OWWA membership renewal, payment of membership fees to the Phil-Health, and Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs)," Sto. Tomas added.

Likewise, she extended her thanks to NAIA administration headed by General Manager Alfonso G. Cusi, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Land Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines, Metro Manila Development Authority, the press, the private sector, and many others for bringing the Pamaskong Handog sa OFWs to success.