CBCP-ECMI invites arriving OFWs

BALANGA City, Bataan – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI ) on Sunday announced that it has designated three days this December and five days in January 2016 as “days” for arriving Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) this Christmas.

“Itinalaga po ng CBCP-ECMI na mula Disyembre 14-16 at Enero 11-15, 2016, sa tuwing ika-3 ng hapon hanggang ika-6 ay para sa inyo. Kung anuman ang aming maitutulong, tayo po ay magkuwentuhan, tayo po ay sama-samang magkape,” Bishop Ruperto Santos of the diocese of Balanga, CBCP-ECMiI chair, told OFWs in a Christmas letter.

The visiting OFWs will be given prayer pamphlets on Way of the Cross, Way of Migrants, Nine Days with Saint Joseph and Holy Rosary as a way of thanking the overseas workers for sacrificing for their loved ones, the Bataan prelate said.

He invited OFWS to visit their office at CBCP Building at 470 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. On hand to receive the visitors are Father Resty Ogsimer, Carmelita Maraan, Jeanette Rosales, Edyzza Pumarada and Edmund Ruga.

Santos advised vacationing workers to refrain from excessive spending. “Mag-ipon at maging masinop. Unahin palagi ang pamilya at palaging mag-usap. Gamitin ang bakasyon higit sa lahat para sa inyong pamilya at para sa Panginoong Diyos. Sama-samang magsimba,” he said.

The bishop asked OFWS to be extra careful on online investments and people offering big interests and returns on money lending. “Kami po na bumubuo at namumuno sa ating CBCP-ECMI ay hindi lamang bumabati sa inyo ng Maligayang Pasko bagkus nagpapahayag din nang may pasasalamat na Maligayang Pagdating!”, Santos said.