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DMW, DOT partner to provide OFWs opportunities in local tourism
MANILA -- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Thursday to benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are planning to go back to the Philippines for good. In a statement, DMW officer-incharge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that through the "Balik Bayani sa Turismo" partnership program, returning OFWs and their families will be provided with free tourism-related skills development and enhancement training that would open jobs and business opportunities for them so they could continue to provide for their families even as they return to the country. “Walang OFW na ayaw umuwi (No OFW would never want to go back) for good. Everyone has plans for their families and communities. That’s why this partnership with the DOT is a huge help for our OFWs to come home with their families while having a sustainable source of income in the local tourism sector,” Cacdac said. Among the tourism-related training that may be provided for the OFW and their families include culinary tourism, farm tourism, homestay operations, and skills on how to become tour guides. Meanwhile, those who have acquired foreign language skills
MEGA JOB FAIR. Hundreds of job seekers queue up at the Mega Job Fair held by the City of Manila at SM Manila on Thursday (Jan. 18, 2024). About 12,000 employment opportunities are being offered by private companies and industries in the job fair. (MNS photo) or have extensive experience in tourism-related activities can become part of the DOT’s pool of experts which would give them opportunities to become resource
persons in various government programs. In the same agreement, the DOT and the DMW will also provide scholarship grants to qualified
OFWs and their family members interested in becoming tourism front-liners and service providers or tourism enterprise owners, in cooperation with the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco underscored that the OFWs are the best tourism ambassadors
of the Philippines because of the competence and expertise they offer to the world. Moreover, Frasco said OFWs have acquired rich experiences that can help promote the country’s local tourism industry. The Balik Bayani sa Turismo program is expected to strengthen the collaboration between the national and local governments in the implementation of the full-cycle and comprehensive reintegration programs and services for OFWs and their families while promoting the vibrant local tourism sector of the Philippines. “We are counting on our partnership with the DMW because the returning OFWs are so much valued in the tourism industries because of their experience and expertise,” Frasco said. DFA: Safety, support assured by no commitment from Iran to release 18 Filipino seafarers Iran's government has not made any commitment regarding the release of the 18 Filipino crew of the oil tanker that was seized in the Gulf of Oman, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday. However, the Iranian government has guaranteed its support for the Philippine government's call for the safe repatriation of the Filipino seafarers, according to DFA See DMW on 3
As Voters Head to Polls Worldwide, What The Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award has recognized Barbara Role for Diaspora Communities? Jiménez, with a community leadership award.
By Selen Ozturk/EMS With 2024 being the biggest election year in history, the role of diaspora is more crucial than ever. SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- With 2024 being the biggest election year in history — as over 70 countries with over four billion people send citizens to the polls — the role of diaspora communities is more crucial than ever. At a Friday, January 12 Ethnic Media Services briefing, speakers discussed how AI and social media spread disinformation among diaspora groups, and shared how diaspora communities will engage with elections in their home lands of Mexico, India and Taiwan. Diaspora communities and voting “The right to vote is one of the main demands of diaspora populations” and their home countries have responded, said Kathleen Newland, Senior Fellow and Co-Founder of the Migration Policy Institute. In 1980, only 21 countries enfranchised citizens abroad, whereas by 2020, 141 countries did — nearly three quarters of the countries in the world. Diaspora voting varies dramatically. In some countries, like India and Taiwan, voters are required to physically return. In others, like the U.S., overseas voting is “hands-off” without outreach to diaspora, so that “people have to find out for themselves how to register,” explained Newland. The electoral influence of diaspora communities depends not only upon the percentage of a country’s population living abroad
and whether they can vote, but also upon whether these overseas voters actually exercise their right to vote, Newland added. Misinformation through social media, AI Misinformation from abroad could be as impactful for some elections as votes from abroad, said Dr. Rohit Chopra, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Santa Clara University. In the context of elections, misinformation not only inserts a fake claim into public discourse, but also “muddies the difference between what is fake and what is true … with themes, say, like the ‘deep state’ or COVID conspiracies,” he explained, “or of strong pro-Modi sentiment combined with criticism of dissenters in the case of the Indian diaspora … It’s like the Wikipedia problem, where 80% may be very accurate, but we don’t know what 20% of it is false.” As AI is increasingly weaponized to spread fake news, the companies and policies behind it are overwhelmingly U.S.-based — and so impact diaspora countries
“like a trigger effect,” Chopra said, contributing to the rise of fake news globally. This rise has coincided with a global increase in authoritarianism and a crisis of legitimacy for the media. Thus, even initiatives to criminalize fake news will involve serious concerns about the concentration of power. “The political power of the diaspora is not limited to their voting power … we have to rethink the relationship between the state, technology, and the public globally,” Chopra added. India The Indian election is the largest by far this year, with about 900 million individuals registered to elect 543 members of Parliament across over 50 state parties through a million election booths between April and May, said Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Professor of Indian Political Economy at Columbia University. Nevertheless, this parliamentary election is very much a presidential one, with Prime Minister Narendra See DIASPORA on 9
SAN DIEGO, CA - Barbara Jiménez, who oversees the County’s Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities (HSEC), was among the national awardees representing large and small businesses, health care, education, nonprofit, cybersecurity, communities and government. The Baldridge Foundation said today this is the first time ‘Community’ has been a category, and “the inaugural group embodies the type of role model leadership our communities and our country need.” Al Faber, president and CEO of the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Inc., said the leadership awards “recognize outstanding individuals, leaders, and supporters who embody Baldrige leadership and management values and principles, and who have provided outstanding service to the Baldrige community and beyond.” For more than 30 years Jiménez has provided, promoted and overseen social and human services throughout San Diego County. Before being named HHSA Community Operations Officer in July 2021 and being tasked with creating HSEC, much of her career was focused on communities in South and Central San Diego. She is known for her binational and bilingual work and extensive community listening sessions, including steering Southeastern Live Well Center planning for nearly a decade. During the heart of the COVID-19 emergency, her responsibilities included coordinating with nonprofits the expansion of outreach and resources
Barbara Jimenez, Community Operations Officer County Health and Human Services Agency into neighborhoods where they were already embedded and trusted. “Barbara has a real passion for working side by side with the community, so this award is a perfect match,” said Dr. Eric McDonald, interim HHSA director. “We are thrilled for her, but frankly not surprised because we see the good work she does every day.” Jiménez said she was both honored and surprised to learn of the award. “Having the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives drives me and is something I couldn’t accomplish without the support and dedication of countless coworkers,”
said Jiménez. “This award is a tribute to all of our efforts, and I’m humbled to be the recipient.” The Baldrige Foundation was created as the private partner to the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program in 1988. Its mission is to ensure the long-term financial viability of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and to support organizational performance excellence throughout the United States and the world. The Leadership Awards will be presented during the Foundation Awards Ceremony held as part of the annual Quest for Excellence conference near Washington, D.C. on April 9, 2024.