Migrants and Seafarers’ Orientation Held at SMPRP

Rev. Fr. Orlando Angelia, Parish Priest of St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary Parish welcomed the team of Rev. Fr. Dexter Veloso, Director of Migrants and Seafarers and Itinerant peoples to give an orientation about the Migrants and Seafarers’ Orientation and Campaign on September 20, 2025 at 8:30 in the morning until 11:00 o’clock at the Parish Church and it was facilitated by Bro. George Isidor.

The program started with an ecumenical prayer to reach out globally. The first speaker was Bro. RJ Duran with his topic entitled: What is Migration? It is the movement of either people or animals from one to another. It can used for the journey from one place to another or from the acts of movements. And to move from one country, place or locality to another. The next Speaker was Bro. Jessie Moreno who talks on Stella Maris meaning the Star of the Sea. A symbol of guiding light and protection, especially for Seafarers and was often seen in Sailors tattoos used for helping their way through the struggles and difficulties of life inspired by Jesus commanding the storm to calm down. It was created to provide pastoral care to seafarers, fishers and their families worldwide, offering support through a network of port.

The last Speaker was Rev. Fr. Dexter Veloso, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. He is commissioned for Pastoral Care of Migrants such as: spiritual, moral and practical support to the Overseas Filipino Worker, Seafarer including counselling and income generating project to the left behind families and children.

The purpose of creating ECMI and CBCP Mindanao is to help the OFW and Seafarers against illegal recruiters, sexual abuse on line and human trafficking which are rampant today in our society. Thank you for the help to the Migrants Workers who were victims of abuse and oppression. (Clinita Nartea, GKK SoCCom | Photos by Jojo Macadagat)