Press Release No. 22-2016
(Jeddah, 31 August 2016)- Philippine Consul General in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Hon. Imelda M. Panolong, attended the OFW Council of Leaders’ (OCL) 1st Anniversary Celebration on 13 August 2016. She was joined by Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague, Vice Consul Alexander Joseph Estomo and some invited Consulate personnel. Also invited as the Guest Speaker for the occasion was ACTS OFW Party-List Representative, Hon. Aniceto “John” Bertiz III, who was a former OFW turned advocate for the rights and welfare of OFWs.
During her inspirational message, Consul General Panolong welcomed Cong. Bertiz in Jeddah whom she met at the airport upon his arrival late in the evening and accompanied him straight to the venue. She also expressed her thanks to OCL for inviting the Consulate General and making it a part of the celebration. She likewise congratulated OCL for one very colourful, very meaningful and successful year for the group. She mentioned that OCL has played a significant role in garnering a lot of votes for the ACTS-OFW Partylist, enabling it to get a seat for Cong. Bertiz in Congress to represent the interest and welfare of overseas Filipino workers.
In closing, Consul General Panolong also expressed her appreciation to the OCL for being a staunch supporter and partner of the Consulate General, which always welcomes OCL’s open-minded disposition to work together with the Consulate and other PH Government agencies as stated in its vision which is to become a catalyst of unity and play an active role in uplifting the condition of OFWs worldwide. Consul General Panolong further said that the Consulate acknowledges that with the partnership of groups like OCL, the burden of carrying its tasks and mandate becomes easier to bear and much easier to accomplish.
The OFW Council of Leaders (OCL) of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is the local umbrella body of Filipino community organizations in Jeddah and surrounding key cities in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. It also serves as the facilitator for better relations among Filipinos, official representatives of the Philippine Government, and private sector. The OCL has now grown into a big coalition of various organizations with 58 constituent members from 37 since its inception. END.
PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDECE CELEBRATION HELD ON 13 AUGUST 2016, PCG PREMISES
Consul General Imelda Panolong delivers her inspirational message
during the occasion of OCL's 1st Anniversary
Consul General received a Certificate of Appreciation as Inspirational Speaker
from Messrs. Venecio V. Legaspi and Redentor Bual, Director General and
Deputy General for External Affairs of OCL, respectively
Consul General Imelda M. Panolong (right) with Cong. Bertiz (middle) and
Mr. Venecio Legaspi, OCL's Director General
OCL Directors and members with (seated from left to right) OCL DirGen Vennie Legaspi, Cong. Bertiz,
CONGEN Imelda Panolong, Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague and Vice Consul Alex Estomo
(Photos courtesy of Mr john De Leon Pamintuan)