President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. honored two Filipino domestic workers with the prestigious Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) on December 11, recognizing their advocacy for the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Zita Cabais from France and Elvira Dela Cruz from Morocco were among 13 awardees celebrated for their efforts to uplift and support Filipino communities abroad. Both received the Banaag Award, which highlights contributions to the well-being of overseas Filipino communities.
Cabais, originally from Pangasinan, is a domestic worker-turned-trade unionist in Paris who has championed labor rights for OFWs. Her advocacy includes helping undocumented Filipino domestic workers obtain legal work permits and providing support to victims of labor exploitation. Cabais emphasized the inclusivity of the award, stating that it represents “a beacon of hope for those who may feel trapped by their realities.” She continues to lobby for France to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Domestic Workers Convention (ILO Convention 189).
Dela Cruz, a household service worker in Morocco since 2009, has been instrumental in assisting distressed OFWs. She has helped over 40 compatriots secure unpaid wages, recover confiscated passports, and obtain legal residency permits. Before the establishment of the Philippine Embassy in Rabat, Dela Cruz worked closely with Moroccan authorities to address labor concerns.
During the ceremony, Marcos reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring migration becomes a choice, not a necessity, for Filipinos, and pledged to enhance social protection for distressed OFWs.
The PAFIOO also recognized other outstanding individuals and organizations across various categories, including healthcare professionals, artists, and advocates for Filipino communities worldwide.
