Never again!

Mary Joy Sinoro went to Dubai, United Arab Emirates in May 2012 as a household service worker.

But she was not able to finish her employment contract after being diagnosed with Hepatitis B in her first month of employment.

She had no idea how she contracted the disease. Her illness shattered the family’s hope for a brighter future, the main reason she went abroad.

Five months passed and Mary Joy’s husband Marlo had no information if his wife was coming home or not.  Marlo asked the Bantay OCW program of Radyo Inquirer 990 AM for help in bringing his wife home.

Marlo said his wife was directly hired by her employer in Dubai, although processing of her travel and work documents was done  through a local agency, Crosswind Manpower Services, which is currently under preventive suspension according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Bantay OCW referred the  matter to the office of labor attaché Amilbahar Amilasna of POLO-Dubai. Bantay OCW  also interviewed by telephone Mary Joy,  who was under the care of the Philippine Consulate in Dubai while the necessary documents were being processed.

Despite Mary Joy’s failing health, she bravely faced her problem.

The good news is that Mary Joy was finally able to come home and be reunited with her family.  Marlo became more determined to work hard for the family.

When asked if he would allow Mary Joy to work abroad again, Marlo replied, “Never again! As head of the family, I have the responsibility to provide for my family. My wife will be able to care for our two children even if life is difficult due to the meager income I get from construction work. This is better than having my wife work overseas.”

The family of Mary Joy thanked Bantay OCW and the concerned agencies that facilitated her return to the Philippines.

Fifth in a row

For the fifth straight year, the Gawad Tanglaw named Bantay OCW with Susan K. the Best Public Service Program in the country.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Calamba, Laguna on March 7.

Gawad Tanglaw, short for Gawad Tagapuring mga Akademisyan ng Aninong Gumagalaw, is an organization of noted members of the academe. Every year, it honors outstanding achievements in film, television, radio, and print.

We dedicate this honor to all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) around the world whose sacrifices overseas are truly immeasurable. We express our gratitude to our partners in public service from the Inquirer group, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer Bandera, Inquirer.net and Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.

We would also like to thank PTV 4 (People’s Television), GMA News TV International, Remate, Watchmen Daily, Groove Magazine in Hong Kong, Pinoy Star magazine in Singapore and Filipino News in Italy.

To Gawad Tanglaw, thank you very much for this very significant recognition.

Bantay OCW is now on its 17th year of public service to OFWs.

Susan Andes, aka Susan K., is on board at Radyo Inquirer 990 dzIQ AM,

Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-12 noon and 12:30-2 p.m. with audio/video live streaming: www.dziq.am Studio: 2/F MRP Bldg., Mola St. cor. Pasong Tirad St., Makati City; PTV 4, every Friday, 8-9 p.m. and GMA News TV International, helpline: 0927-6499870 and e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]