Administrator's Corner

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is now twenty-six (26) years in the service to Filipino migrant workers and their families.

Through the years, OWWA has presented itself as an institution that never wavers in its commitment to protect the interest and promote the welfare of its `regular' members without ignoring the needs of `irregular' migrant workers.

OWWA continues to be aggressive in its thrust to dignify the heroism of each OFW who temporarily shares talents and skills for the progress of other nations, and applies his experiences in his own country when he returns. OWWA makes the OFWs more productive on-site through counseling and skills-upgrading programs, and makes their homecoming not the end but the beginning of a new challenge in career and family life.

We earnestly wish that the friendship and working relationship between OWWA and OFWs may prosper for many more years.

In behalf of the hardworking men and women of OWWA who provide solid foundation to the real meaning of public service, we thank every one who has made us confident of where we are today.

Administrator VIRGILIO R. ANGELO
(2002-2004)

"Vir" as he is often called hails from Malolos, Bulacan. He was born on 13 February 1948 and finished his elementary and high school at the Immaculata Academy of Malolos. He graduated at the University of the East earning a degree on BSBA Economics and took his Masters in Business Administration in Ateneo de Manila.

A banker by profession, Vir was the General Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) before he was appointed as Administrator by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on November 21, 2002.

It was during his term the OWWA Omnibus Policies was crafted and signed by its Board of Trustees. It was also during his time when the OWWA was restructured to a national government agency (NGA) format and effect the transfer of OWWA Medicare Funds to PhilHealth.


Administrator WILHELM D. SORIANO
(1995-1998/2000-2001)

Wilhelm "Beebong" Soriano was born on 23 July 1950 in San Carlos City, Pangasinan. He finished his primary and secondary education in San Carlos Central and San Carlos College, respectively. He had his Bachelors Degree in Commerce at Luzon College. He took Bachelor of Laws at the University of the East and awarded a scholarship grant at the Ateneo de Manila.

Beebong rose from the ranks in government service from a property & supply officer at Juvenile and Domestic ___ to Revenue collection examiner/enforcement officer at BIR, to Director III, Atty. V at DOH to commissioner at ECC. Given his track record in public service, he was appointed as OWWA administrator by President Fidel V. Ramos from March 23, 1995 to March 23, 1998.

His unquestionable commitment to serve the OFWs made him come back on March 23, 2001 to November 15, 2002.



Administrator ELEUTERIO N. GARDINER
(1998-2000)

Eli (pronounced as E-lai) who hails from Tarlac was born on February 20, 1939. He finished his elementary and high school at Lamao Barrio High School and graduated from the Far Eastern University with a degree on BS Business Administration.

A close friend of then President Joseph E. Estrada, he "devolved" his business interests in the recruitment agency, "ELIGARDI", to assume the helmsmanship of OWWA on 01 July 1998. Given his experience in the recruitment business, Eli knew well the problems and concerns of OFWs at the job-sites. However, he did not finish his term and left OWWA on March 26, 2001 when President Joseph E. Estrada was impeached.

To many OWWA employees, Eli was known as a very affluent person because he did not even bother to get his salaries during his entire service at OWWA. He was known for his being "cowboy" or easy to "draw" cash from his own pocket for donations and solicitations among needy OFWs and many occasions in the regions. He is very approachable, loves music and he loves to sing because he used to be a member of a music band in Japan.


Administrator DAVID P. CORPIN
(1993-1995)

Dave as he is fondly called, was born on 29 December 1929 in Biliran, Leyte. He graduated from Far Eastern University with a degree on Bachelor of Laws and took his masters in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines.

Dave has been in the government service since 1962. He was a DOLE Regional Director from 1963 to1970 and left the government service in 1972 to concentrate on his owned "DPC" Recruitment Agency.

Dave was appointed as OWWA Administrator by President Fidel V. Ramos. It was during his tenure when OWWA structure was reorganized. It was also during his term when the Frederick Hotel was acquired, and now known as the "OWWA Development Center".


Administrator ATANACIO V. MARONILLA
(1990-1993)

Maronilla was the Deputy Administrator of his predecessor, Jose N. Sarmiento (1986-1990), and assumed the office in March 1990. He, immediately was given a baptism of fire when the Gulf War erupted in August 04, 1990. OWWA was faced with the gargantuan task of repatriating an estimated 56,000 affected OFWs from the Middle East due to the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait.

Iraq occupied Kuwait supposedly claiming that Kuwait is just a province of Iraq and it was stealing oil from its oil fields through underground oil pipes. A 24-hour monitoring task force was immediately established with headquarters right at the Office of the Administrator.

All national and overseas resources and manpower of OWWA were properly accounted and prepared for utilization. Established networks were activated and which served as the conduit for the evacuation of affected OFWs in Kuwait and Iraq to safer grounds before flight back to the Philippines.