About 22 different workers organizations in the CNMI attended the gathering at the Canton Restaurant in Garapan.
During the program, Consul General Wilfredo DL. Maximo read the Labor Day message of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“The culture of excellence that our workers have exhibited, whether they are working at home or in more than 190 host destinations worldwide, is our best assurance that we will be able to weather this crisis,” the president’s message stated.
OWWA Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon’s message was read by Welfare Officer Reynaldo D. Tayag while Labor Representative Lourdes D. Lavilla read the Labor Day message of Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque.
Dimzon said OWWA has put in place a set of benefits and social welfare programs for its members and their beneficiaries.
She said OWWA stands ready with safety nets, such as the Filipino Expatriate Livelihood Support Fund, repatriation assistance and counseling to address the concerns of workers displaced by the global economic downturn.
Roque, for his part, urged workers to celebrate Labor Day by caring for their present jobs.
He said workers abroad are fortunate to have work that can provide for the needs of their families.
The gathering in Garapan was attended by officers and members of the United Filipino Organization, the Bayani Association, the Marianas Institute of Filipino Certified Public Accountants, the Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects, the Marianas Filipino Women’s Association, the Visayas Mindanao Association, Samahang Ilocano at Pangasinente, the National Movement for Free Elections, the MDX Radio Group, CNMI Power Corporation Inc., Samahang Manggagawang Filipino, Sirkulo Boholano Delas Islas Marianas, U.P. Alumni Association-NMI chapter, Multi-Sectoral Overseas Filipino Workers Movement, the Pilipino Contract Overseas Workers Association, FilCom & Simbang Gabi, Saipan Building and Fixing Computer Users Group, the Bicol Association, KWAW DJs, Commonwealth Health Center nurses and the Hardt Eye Clinic.
Goivani Pardenan and Michele V. Villaraza, the United Filipino Organization and the Bayani Association provided entertainment during the program.
Edeline G. Cuevas of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office served as the mistress of ceremony.
