The Overseas Filipino Workers Congress in the Eastern Province (OFWC-EP), an advocacy and community support organization, installed 26 members of its executive council, coinciding with the tenth year of establishment of the organization. The OFWC-EP executive committee, which is now the 5th Congress of the organization, will serve for two years starting 2010. They were inducted into office by the Philippine labor attaché David Des T. Dicang and witnessed by vice consul Paulo V. Saret. The OFWC 5th Congress is headed by Mary Jane P. Tupas, director of nursing of Mohamad Dossary Hospital in Al-Khobar, and Blas F. Ople Bagong Bayani Awardee. “Our vision during the next two years is to further strengthen our advocacy programs toward the protection of overseas Filipino workers and their families. Support projects to enhance the working conditions and future of Filipino workers, like their reintegration to their respective communities when they finally return home, will be pursued,” said Tupas. She said that because of the economic reverses and downtrend in the global economy that are now affecting migrant workers, Filipino workers should be aware that they should be preparing for their final return home. “OFW Congress will focus on providing the tools necessary to enable returning OFWs to succeed in their reintegration process,” Tupas said. The elected officers of the 5th OFW Congress are Mary Jane P. Tupas, president; Felicito T. Arcilla, executive vice president; Dr. Gener L. Benter, VP for strategic planning and effective governance; George R. Palencia, VP for economic affairs; Orlando F. Arcega, VP for Social Welfare Affairs; Julius B. Sebastian, VP for political affairs; Andrew Nathaniel G. Santos, secretary general; Alejandro B. Mones Jr., comptroller general; Maria Lourders D. Silverio, director general for community relations; Jaypee M. Vega, director for culture and entertainment; Lorlyn L. Camacho, director general for education; Romulo O. Odsinada, director general for emergency assistance; Charlie C. Rapanut, director general for external relations, Engr. Romeo N. Dionisio, REE, director general for finance; Nolasco M. Tupas, director general for government relations, Junielyn F. Marte, director general for health; Joselito S. Tomas, director general for information; Pablito C. Paner, director general for internal relations; Eduardo N. Saballa, director general for Christian and Islamic affairs; Jalal M. Lampayan, assistant director general for Christian and Islamic affairs; Esmeraldo Lumbre, director general for legal affairs; Martin J. Valenzuela Jr., director general for membership; Angelina C. Rigor, director general for outreach programs; Denis C. Hipolito, director general for reintegration; Mario B. Concepcion, director general for youth and sports; and Victoria M. Nava, director general for women. The members OFWC Congress advisory council, who served as president of the organization during the last ten years, are Eng. Pedro P. Marfa, chairman, and the members are Dr. Jose E. Avance?a, Dr. Richard B. Joseph, Engr. Isabelo B. Hugo, PEE, and Engr. Ernesto N. Mapanao. OFW Congress-EP is an accredited community partner of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and works and coordinates closely with other Filipino community organizations. OFW Congress-EP, OFW Congress Riyadh, and Kasapi Congress Jeddah formed a tripartite to coordinate their advocacy and community support programs and projects in the Kingdom and overseas.
