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FREE CALLS FOR OFWs
December 24, 2003
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally opened to the public today (Dec. 24) a call center in Malacañang that will give overseas Filipinos the chance to keep in touch with their loved ones here at home this Christmas season for free.
Coming from the dawn mass early Wednesday morning, the Chief Executive launched the “Pamaskong Handog nina Pangulong Gloria at Secretary Alvarez: Tawag Overseas sa Ating Mga Minamahal na OFWs.”
The project, an initiative of Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Communities Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez in coordination with the Global Inter-Voice System Network Corporation, offers 10 days of free telephone calls for families of overseas Filipino Communities (OFWs).
From December 24, 2003 to January 2, 2004, the Presidential Action Center of Malacañang and the Office of Secretary Alvarez will set up a call center at the ground floor of the Tahanan ng Masa building inside Malacañang compound.
According to Alvarez, each caller will be allowed a maximum of 15 minutes to talk to their loved ones in any part of the world, free of charge.
“Through this simple but meaningful program, we hope to serve as a link for families to come together this holiday season. We understand the close-knit Filipino family and how we value our families. This is the least we can do in gratitude for the immeasurable sacrifices of our countrymen abroad,” Alvarez stressed.
There is an estimated 7 million OFWs residing abroad. Their collective annual remittances, now amounting to more than US$8 billion, helps keep the Philippine economy afloat despite several regional economic slumps in the past.
The Office of the President is enjoining the public to come to Malacañang and avail of the free calls. The call center is open from 10AM to 6PM, until Jan. 2 next year.
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