THE BOARD of trustees of the Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration approved a resolution that creates a program for the protection and welfare of the children of overseas Filipino workers.

OWWA said its Board Resolution No. 7 or the formation of OFW Children’s Circle was approved on July 15 by the OWWA Board of Trustees chaired by Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma along with Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople.

“The OCC aims to help OFW children to achieve their full potential in community- and nation-building. It will also address the societal impact of labor migration, such as separation from an OFW-parent, as well as negative effects on their well-being and mental health,” the OWWA said in a statement.

“OCC programs and activities aim to help children cope with the negative effects and social costs of migration, not to mention the effects of the Covid19 pandemic and other global emergencies,” it added.

The program will serve as a venue for children of OFWs to showcase their creative skills; improve their social skills and harness coping mechanisms; and to foster awareness in youth-centered and civic advocacies such as environment and climate change, values reorientation, digital literacy and anti-drugs and substance abuse.

Likewise, it will assist children build camaraderie among OFW children, develop potential leaders among them, and encourage their participation in policy and program development.

For its initial implementation, at least P15 million was allocated by the OWWA Board of Trustees to cover operational and administrative expenses of the program.

OWWA said that the OCC will be initially implemented by its regional welfare offices in the National Capital Region, Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, and Davao Region.

All OWWA regional welfare offices will fully implement the program thereafter.