Nominations for 2009 Model OFW Family of the Year Award now accepted

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-CAR) is now accepting nominations for the regional search for 2009 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA).

The search for the MOFYA is an annual award-giving project designed to give recognition to outstanding Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) families. It also promotes the best practices of OFW families in achieving success in all aspects of their life in the face of overseas migration of one or more members of the household.

For this year’s MOFYA search, it emphasizes the importance of family values thereby giving more credit for the “wholesome OFW family relationship and solidarity.” “Civic or community involvement”, “success in education or profession of family members” as well as their “success in managing family finances” will also be considered.

There will be one regional winner each for the “land-based” and “sea-based” categories, which will represent Cordillera in the national level competition. About P2 million in cash and in kind, are at stake as prizes for the regional and national winners and special awards from OWWA and its major corporate sponsors.

Any Non-Government Organizations (NGOs); People’s Organizations (POs); religious organizations or associations; community-based socio-civic organizations/associations; and Local Government Units (LGUs) can nominate an OFW family.

Criteria for nominations are: the family should be headed by an OFW, land-based or sea-based, formerly or presently working abroad, with a formal or informal contract of employment or work permit and with a proof of OWWA membership; the OFW either married or single, is the head of the family and has at least for years of work experience as an OFW; the OFW family should be known as a solid/stable family in the locality(with certification of family solidarity by their barangay captain, Parish priest or religious leader); and the family must be financially stable.

In case of OFW migration, it should be not permanent, that is he/she is a holder of valid Philippine Passport and does not have an immigrant status in a foreign country; and not irregular, that is employment is documented and possesses a valid residency or work permit, as well as other employment documents.

Previous MOFYA nominees who have not won at the regional level yet can be nominated again. Relatives of officials/employees of OWWA, DOLE and its attached agencies and corporate sponsors of MOFYA, up to the third degree of consanguinity and affinity are disqualified from nomination.

Nomination period is until August 15. For more details and nomination forms you may inquire to the OWWA-CAR office at telephone number (074) 445-2260, 619-4558 and 3-3658. (Source)