December 3, 2009


As part of its continuing mission to be of service to Batangueños, here and abroad, the Provincial Government of Batangas, in partnership with the Lipa Archdiocesan Commission on Migrants and Mission (LACMMI), formally opened the VSR 1 Batangas Overseas Filipinos Worldwide Center last Dec. 7, 2009.

The center, a first at the provincial government level nationwide, was the result of a dialogue between Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D, and Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, wherein the former sought the governor’s assistance regarding the possible putting up of a base for an umbrella organization of government and private agencies in the province that deal with and address migrant issues. 

Upon Santos-Recto’s directive, said headquarters, intended to attend to both Batangueño overseas Filipino workers and permanent immigrants to foreign countries, was set up as a special project of the HEARTS program under Pedrito Martin M. Dijan, Jr., who now acts as its Program Director.  Provincial Human Resource Management Officer (PHRMO) Meynard Melo is the Project Manager.

A Thanksgiving Mass, officiated by Archbishop Arguelles opened the formal launching, which coincided with the 428th Batangas Province Foundation Week celebrations.

Among the national agencies involved with the center are the Overseas Workers Welfare Agency, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Dept. of Justice, Dept. of Education and TESDA, which will work with their local counterparts from the Prov. Social Welfare and Development Office, PHRMO and Batangas’ local government units.  NGO partners include LACMMI, ATIKHA, PHILCOMDEV and Visayan Forum.  - Vince Altar