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)
Comments
Post a Comment