Philippine Embassy Tokyo on Migrant Workers and Seafare’s Day Joint Celebration
This year, June 8, 2014 has been memorable to all Filipino Migrant Workers and Seafarers as the labor section of the Philippine Embassy-Tokyo, The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), spearheaded a joint celebration of the Migrant Workers’ and the Seafarers Day in Tokyo. Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as it is being observed every year, 7th of June for Migrant workers and 25th of June for Seafarers.
Emphasizing governments’ effort in protecting and promoting the welfare, interests as well as our migrant workers well-being, they chose “Magkasangga Para sa Kapakanan, Kabuhayan, at Kalusugan Para sa OFW,” as this year’s theme for the said celebration.
The joyous celebration is not only being celebrated here in Japan but being observed all over the world considering the other countries as major destinations to our Filipino workers and seafarers.The affair was a fitting celebration to honor our Filipino migrant workers in Japan and Filipino seafarers on board Japanese ocean going vessels.
Our very own Philippine Embassy Consul-General Marian Jocelyn Tirol-Ignacio was there for her welcoming remarks. Attendees were Congressman Yukio Ubukata, a member of the House of Representatives of Japan and Chief Secretary of the Japan-Philippine Parliamentary Friendship League, and Deputy Director-General Yutaka Matsubara of the Maritime Bureau/Ports and Harbours Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLITT) who delivered inspiring words to give more significance to the event. His Excellency Philippine Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez provided the keynote speech. Officials from the Japan Shipowners Association (JSA) and All Japan Seamen’s Union (JSU) likewise graced the occasion. Deserving workers were honored by Ugat Foundation’s “Bayaning Pilipino” Award.
Colorful celebration, entertainment, fun and laughter will not be complete without being joined by our top celebrities from the Philippines, Ms. Angel Locsin of the recent concluded “The Legal Wife” soap opera and The Voice of the Philippines grand champion winner Mitoy Yonting. Welfare Officer and OIC-Labor Attache Liwayway Y. Ilo, and DZMM Usapang de Campanilla and PTV4 Yan Ang Marino host Maresciel Yao acted as emcees of the program.