Discussion Forum for Overseas Filipino Workers, Single Parents, and Senior Citizens in Carcar City
In Carcar, Philippines, on July 1, 2025, a significant event took place that aimed to strengthen the support and services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), their families, solo parents, and senior citizens. The "Empowering OFWs and Families, Senior Citizens and Solo Parents: A Rights-Holders and Duty-Bearers Forum" brought together various agencies, including the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Region VII, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and local government officials.
The forum, organised with a commitment to improving the support for OFWs and their families through government and community collaboration, focused on providing a platform for open and free dialogue. Key discussions included programs and initiatives for OFWs, the rights and welfare of solo parents and senior citizens, and a Financial Awareness Seminar (FAS) designed to enhance financial literacy among participants.
Mayor Mario Patricio “Patrick” Barcenas of Carcar City expressed his gratitude towards all attendees, particularly from the DMW RO-VII, CHR, and DTI. He had previously expressed appreciation towards these agencies, having supported the Kabayan Mini-Trade Fair held in March 2025. The mini-trade fair was a specific instance of support provided by LGU-Carcar to OFWs and their families.
Officials from the DMW RO-VII presented their team at the forum and thanked the Local Government Unit (LGU)-Carcar for continued support. The collaboration aims to enhance support and services for OFWs and their families, underscoring the commitment to empowering rights-holders (the OFWs, solo parents, and senior citizens) through duty-bearers (government agencies and local government).
The forum marked a significant step towards improving the welfare and services provided to these groups, demonstrating the collective effort of government agencies, local government, and the community in supporting OFWs, solo parents, senior citizens, and their families.
The government agencies, including the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), collaborated with the local government in Cebu for the "Empowering OFWs and Families, Senior Citizens and Solo Parents: A Rights-Holders and Duty-Bearers Forum", promoting superbalita (Filipino term for overseas Filipino workers) welfare and lifestyle. The event, organized by LGU-Carcar, included a Financial Awareness Seminar (FAS) for enhancing home-and-garden management skills among participants.
