PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday designated television personality Arnaldo Arevalo “Arnell” Ignacio as head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed Ignacio’s appointment in a statement.
“We confirm the appointment of Mr. Ignacio as Executive Director Admin. V of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration,” Cruz-Angeles said.
Malacañang has yet to release a copy of Ignacio’s appointment paper.
The OWWA, on its official website, noted that its role is to protect and promote the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
It is also tasked to provide assistance to distressed OFWs and offer livelihood training and programs for their reintegration.
In his first State of the Nation Address delivered on July 25, Marcos emphasized the need to set policies and programs aimed at easing the burden of the OFWs.
Ignacio was also appointed to the OWWA as deputy administrator under the watch of Marcos’ predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Ignacio first joined the OWWA in 2018 but quit his post in February 2019, citing “personal reasons.”
