Nowadays it has become a trend among Filipinos to move abroad and work to earn more than what they will be getting if they work here in the Philippines. More and more Filipinos decide to leave the country in search of greener pastures.

The fact remains that the Philippines receives over $20 billion in annual Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) remittances. Many of our homes are built and children's educational pursuits are funded by overseas money.

To ambitious young people, it doesn't even matter what kind of work they end up doing, so long as they are paid in a different currency. Landing a job abroad has become the ultimate dream, and the OFW life is associated with flowery images of success and prosperity.

But working abroad means being away from one’s family. The lives of OFWs are not easy as they leave the comfort of their homes to give a better future to their family. It is a great sacrifice that needs to be done for their family and loved ones.

So as part of PhilHealth's appreciation to the OFWs, PhilHealth Regional Office IV-A (PRO IVA) joined the CALABARZON Migrants Workers' Day dubbed “Salamat OFW, Saludo Kami sa Inyo” which was held at the Cultural Center in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

This is an annual celebration organized by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Office in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), OFW Family Circles, Local Government Units and Sponsors as part of the “Araw ng Pasasalamat” activities to acknowledge all the OFWs and their families for their contributions to our society.

PhilHealth was represented by officers from Calamba and San Pablo City Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIOs). Other participating agencies were represented by Zenaida Angara Campitu (DOLE), Donald Alilio (Pag-Ibig Fund), Reynaldo Talegtag (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration-POEA), Aileen C. Pera (Atikha), Lilia S. De Guzman (OWWA), Mary Jane Corcuera (PESO-Sta Rosa), Ruzel Ingco (PESO-Batangas), Anthony Obien (Couples for Christ), and Sofrono Dumael (OFW guest). All of these agencies, PhilHealth included, assured OFWs of exceptional public service. (END) (Manuel Manguiat, PRO IV-A Calamba LHIO)