The Philippine Embassy in Seoul informs the Filipino communities and organizations in Korea of the ongoing search for the Model Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) for the year 2017.

The search is an awards program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) - Department of Labor and Employment (OWWA-DOLE) that aims to give recognition to OFW families that, despite the social cost of migration, maintains wholesome family relations and solidarity. The search gives importance to OFWs and their family members who were able to maximize the gains of overseas employment as well as helped improve the lives of people in their communities.

The search will have a regional selection and screening committee for all the seventeen (17) OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) in the Philippines, wherein nominated families will be screened based on the (a) wholesomeness of OFW family relation and solidarity; (b) the civic/community involvement of OFW and family; (c) success in education or profession of OFW and/or family members; and (d) success in managing family finances.

For nomination criteria, the OFW must be the head of the family, either the mother or the father, including widow/widower; he/she may be an active OWWA member (presently employed overseas) or a former OFW who have at least four-year experience working abroad or an OFW returnee of less than 10 years at the time of nomination.

OFW families can only be nominated twice to the MOFYA. Those related up to third degree of consanguinity and affinity to OWWA, DOLE, and its other attached agencies cannot be accepted as nominee. An OFW/former OFW who is currently holding an elective or appointive position in national or local office will not also be accepted as a nominee.

Two OFW families, one land-based and one sea-based, will be selected as MOFYA from every OWWA Regional Welfare Office. Aside from the prizes at stake, they will also have the opportunity to represent the region in the National MOFYA search to be held in Manila in November.

Special awards will also be given to an OFW Family with outstanding achievement in community projects, as well as those with outstanding achievement in entrepreneurship.

In the year 2015, the Family of Professor Emily Dicolen-Abagat, a former OFW and instructor of the Catholic University of Daegu, was chosen as OWWA Region 4-A or Southern Tagalog's bet to the 2015 MOFYA National Search.

Please note that the deadline for the submission of entries is on 20 August 2017. Nominating parties may inquire from, obtain forms and submit these to Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Philippine Embassy, 80 Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04346, South Korea.

For inquiries, you may get in touch with OWWA Welfare Officer Mila Pena at landline phones (02) 3785-3634/5 or mobile (010) 9054 0694 or email owwaseoul@gmail.com.

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Selection Criteria

1. Wholesomeness of Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Family Relation and Solidarity 50%
i. Family members stay in close contact with each other leading to strong emotional connection
ii. Family members are dedicated to living their lives in support of one another in atmosphere of caring, affirmation and loyalty; they share in family responsibilities; they work through difficulties together

2. Civic/community involvement of OFW and family 20%
i. OFW and/or family member/s' successful community projects (Initiated or Supported)
ii. Active involvement in civic organization/Filipino association
iii. Special commendation or recognition of OFW and/or family members
iv. Advocacy

3. Success in Education or Profession of OFW and/or family members 20%
i. Completed education or continuing education of OFW and/or family members
ii. Special commendation/citation of OFW and/or family members
iii. Successful/continuous practice/exercise of profession

4. Success in managing family finances 10%
i. Successful business enterprise/s
ii. With savings and investment 10%
5. Criteria for Special Awards:
a. Outstanding Achievement in Community Projects
i. Impact of implemented project/s in the community (number/% of population affected/benefitted by the project)
ii. Leadership in implementing community projects
iii. Active involvement/participation in community, people's organizations (government, non-government and church-based)
iv. Awards/citations received by the OFW and/or family members

b. Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship
i. Sustainability
- number of years in existence
- number of outlets/branches of business line
ii. Direct socio-economic impact
- He/she has manifested quantifiable results in terms of the number of jobs generated
-He/she has created social value through his/her financial and/or technical support to community-based groups
iii. Diversification into new lines of business
iv.Awards/citations received

Nomination Criteria

An OFW family to be eligible for nomination must have the following qualifications:
1. The OFW is the head of the nuclear family, could be the father or mother, including the widow/widower;
o He/she may be presently employed overseas; or

o A former OFW who has returned to the country for good for no longer than 10 years at the time of the nomination;

Note: Nominations from overseas may be accepted provided the family of the nominee is in the Philippines

i. He/she is/was an OWWA member;
ii. He/she has at least four (4) years of work experience as an OFW;
iii. No derogatory record
.
2. The OFW family is known as a solid and stable family in the community.
3. The OFW family should be financially stable.
4. The OFW family is actively involved in community projects.

Limitations:
a. Previous regional MOFYA nominees can be nominated for the second time only after 2 years.
b. Must not be related up to the third degree of consanguinity and affinity to officials and employees of OWWA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and its attached agencies, and social partners of MOFYA.
c. Must not be a holder of an elective/appointive position in national/local office at the time of the nomination.