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Mati Diocese beefs up steps for OFWs' safety
02 August 2006 — Disturbed by the current situation of Filipino workers trapped in the war between Israel and Lebanon, the Diocese of Mati has taken steps to bolster the safety of the diocese's overseas workers.
The Social Action Center of the diocese said it would strengthen its programs of reaching out and providing pastoral and social services by conducting pre-departure orientation to all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) leaving for global destinations.
Part of the new plan is also organizing a regular gathering of the families left behind by OFW's in the Philippines, designed for them to understand and reflect on the causes of and consequences of labor migration.
As the Middle East crisis mounts, the Diocese of Mati has been keenly monitoring the situation of OWFs in the war-ravaged regions.
The diocesan radio station in Mati made a hook-up broadcast with Veritas Filipinas since the war started to keep families of OFW's in Davao abreast of current developments in the Middle East.
Bp. Patricio Alo, meanwhile, instructed all parishes in his diocese to offer mass and prayers for the intention of OFWs.
"A Prayer for Peace" is recited at the end of every mass in response to the Holy Father's call for peace.
Helping the church's effort of serving overseas workers, the Public Service Employment Office (PESO) of Davao Oriental provincial government is also eyeing for the creation of an OFW Desk office in every town of the province.
As of this year, records from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that the province has a total of 3,142 recorded numbers of OFWs. (Neela Duallo)
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