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Revisiting the MOFYA Winners in the Ilocandia

For the past years, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 1 has been consistently among those regions who wins an award during the National Awarding of the Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA), one of OWWA’s institutional events that aims to recognize the outstanding OFWs and their families who have demonstrated financial stability, steady and enduring family ties, outstanding community service and success in business ventures.

On March 10, 2015, OWWA Region 1 conducted home visitation to 2014 MOFYA National Winner for the Special Award on Best in Community Projects, Engineer Isidro M. Cabantac of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur and 2013 MOFYA National Winner for Sea-Based Category Chief Engineer Alberto L. Balbalan of Burgos, Ilocos Sur.

2014 MOFYA National Winner for Best in Community Projects, Engineer Isidro M. Cabantac (2nd from Right) with (L-R) Mrs. Milagros Cabantac, OWWA RWO1 OIC Rhoda R. Lee, OFC Leader Elisa Acena and FWO Virna P. Agbayani.
Engr. Isidro M. Cabantac continues to extend his unconditional services to the people in his community particularly in the field of agriculture. Recently, Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agriculture, visited Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur particularly the agricultural projects being implemented in the municipality. One of the projects visited was the Tramline (Cable Car) project initiated by Engineer Cabantac and funded by DA and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHILMEC). The 3-million project aims to facilitate the easier transport of agricultural products from the mountainous areas of Sta. Maria including the neighboring towns. 

OWWA Region 1 has also handed one unit Electrolux Refrigerator to Engr. Cabantac as his additional prize for being a National Winner for the Best in Community Project Award in the 2014 National MOFYA held last January 23, 2015 at the Blue Leaf Filipinas, Parañaque City.

Mayor Riolita R. Balbalan holding the Father Jose Burgos Special Award of her husband Chief Engineer Alberto L. Balbalan, 2013 National MOFYA Winner for Sea-Based Category.
On the other hand, Chief Engr. Alberto L. Balbalan, 2013 MOFYA National Winner for the Sea-Based category, is continually being recognized in their locality. He was recently given the Father Jose Burgos Special Award by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur (PGIS) for being recognized as a Model OFW Family in a national search. PGIS acknowledged Engr. Balbalan’s exemplary performance as a seafarer and his commendable efforts to rise from poverty, provide the needs of his family, share his blessings to the community, and provide livelihood programs to identified recipients which contributed to the socio-economic development of the community.

The said award was received by his better half, Mayor Riolita R. Balbalan of Burgos, Ilocos Sur, last February 1, 2015 during the “Pammadayaw ken Panagbigbig Kadaguiti Annak ti Ilocos Sur” as part of the 8th “Kannawidan Ylocos Festival” held at Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. Chief Engineer Balbalan was currently on board during the awarding rites.

These recognitions were just few of the many reasons why the families of Chief Engr. Alberto L. Balbalan and Engr. Isidro M. Cabantac were hailed as Model OFW Families. They truly exemplify the ideal OFW family who is successful in the various facets of life. They are indeed an inspiration to fellow OFWs. (OWWA RWO1)

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