First OFW Center set to open in Hong Kong

Congen Usudan says the Centre is a 'gift' to OFWs for their hard work

 Preparations are underway for the opening of the Filipino Workers Development and Social Centre (FWDSC) in Hong Kong, the first such facility to be set up abroad.

The news was announced during a ‘Leaders Forum” held on Sunday, Sept 29, at the Migrant Workers Office of the Consulate, and hosted by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan spoke at the meeting, along with Labour Attache Mel Dizon. About 70 Filipino community leaders attended.

Pindutin para sa detalye

According to OWWA welfare  officer Marilou Sumalinog, the FWDSC which measures 20,000 square feet, will occupy the entire 18^th floor of United Centre building in Admiralty, and will cost the government HK$611,000 (or Php4.43 million at current exchange rates) a month in rent.

 “Kasing laki ng Konsulado,” (It’s as big as the Consulate), Sumalinog said, in reference to the 14^th floor office in the same building, occupied and owned by the Philippine Consulate General.

WelOf Sumalinog assures Filcom leaders the Centre will not be funded from their OWWA fees

But she was quick to say in response to a question about the huge amount being spent on the place, that the money will be paid out of the General Appropriations Act, which sets out the budget for various government agencies, and not from members’ contribution.

She also assured the leaders that OWWA is committed to funding the center for five years, so they should not worry about it shutting down after just one or two years.

Basahin ang detalye!

 “Kung tataas man ang renta, hindi tataas ang singil ng membership,” she said (Even if the rent goes up, the membership fee will remain the same).

Consul General Usudan put it another way: “Ang center na ito ay regalo ng gobyerno sa inyo (this center is a gift by the government to you), in recognition of your hard work.

“Hindi mayaman ang gobyerno, (the government is not rich), but we want to give you something that is commensurate to what you have done for the country.”

One of  the rooms in the 18th floor unit which will soon be transformed into the OFW Centre

Sumalinog says no definite date has been set for the opening of the centre as it is still being refurbished. Luckily, she said the previous tenants (a law firm), designed the area so well using quality materials that all that needs to be done is to re-design the interiors to fit OWWA’s specifications.

When completed, the FWDSC will have a recreational area that can accommodate as many as 500 OFWs who can use the space to lounge around in while partaking of free coffee and sandwiches, singing, or playing games.

Sumalinog said this space will be similar to the OFW lounges that have been set up at Terminals 1 and 2 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which have been furnished to a high standard.

But in addition, the FWDSC will also have training and conference rooms, a computer hub, a clinic, gym, psycho-social unit, trading center, and a space that should be big enough where beauty pageants can be staged.

A separate holding area will also be set up for OFWs who want to rest and sleep amid soft music and the smell of scented candles.

But one of the top draws are the five offices that will be assigned to Filcom organizations. Sumalinog did not immediately name the lucky groups that will get to occupy these offices, saying guidelines are still being drawn up.

Prior bookings are necessary for the use of most facilities like the training rooms, but admission to the recreational area will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

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