OFWs donate P1.5-M to cancer patients, court workers

‘PASASALAMAT’. The “Pasasalamat” initiative of overseas Filipino workers aims to show the Duterte administration their support and appreciation. (Photo courtesy of Gemma Sotto)

MANILA — A network of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) has donated PHP1.5 million pesos to two beneficiaries on Thursday in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Now on its second leg, the “Pasasalamat” initiative of OFW chapters worldwide, including those working in the United States, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Australia, United Kingdom and other countries, donated to the House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer and Philippine Association of Court Employees.

Gemma Sotto, president of the Diehard Duterte Supporters Global, the program’s lead organizer, said the initiative was mainly to show the administration their support even if they are abroad.

“We did the first time in Davao City, that was themed Pasalamat sa Presidente. This time we’re doing the Pasasalamat sa Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Judiciary,” she said.

“We feel the difference. Because we trust and we have hope that it’s different, we want to show our appreciation,” Sotto said, referring to the positive changes brought by and how the current government works.

The event was attended by PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, Representative Aniceto Bertiz, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, OWWA Deputy Administrator Arnell Ignacio and several officials from the government.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go was invited but was not able to attend and instead extended the chief executive’s and his message of thanks to the OFWs through Bertiz.

“Sa ngalan ng mga tunay na taga-suporta ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte, nagpapasalamat kami sa mga bagong bayani na patuloy na nag-aambag sa ating ekonomiya at lipunan sa napakaraming paraan (We thank all the supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte, you are all heroes who continue to contribute to our economy and society in many ways),” the solon relayed Go’s message before the audience.