The Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) along with the Dpiscopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (DCMI) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), and the Bayombong Diocesan Migrants’ Commission (BDMC) organized a public forum titled “The Present Plight of OFWs in Region 2,” at Cordillera Resort and Sports Complex in Nueva Vizcaya last September 29, 2007. The forum tackled mainly the issue of illegal recruitment and the status of the Filipino workers who returned from Lebanon last 2006.

Fr. Florentino Daynos II, the diocesan director for the Migrants Commission welcomed the more than seventy lay leaders who actively participated in the discussion after the presentation delivered by resource persons from the Philippine Overseas Dmployment Administration (PODA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Most Rev. Ramon Villena, the bishop of Bayombong delivered an inspirational message to the participants. After the forum, the PMRW took the opportunity to launch its book, “Migrants’ Voices, Migrant Stories,” which is a compilation of stories written by OFWs and members of their families. Two of the authors shared with the public the summary of their stories. Copies of the book were given to the forum participants. Representatives from schools were provided more copies for their libraries.