The bishops are celebrating Migrants’ Day because of its deep concern over the social ills that have sprung from overseas work. “believing that until this time, the issues are not yet being given much attention in our society," the bishops said.

Cantillas pointed to the “new face of feminization” in the deployment of OFWs, as more and more women leave their homes to become nurses, teachers, maids, and entertainers, thus posing challenges to some family and social values.*

“The absence of the mother in the family has great ill effects in the upbringing of children," the bishop said. “As more Balikbayan boxes appear at our airports, our concern for the welfare of the migrants and their families especially the children left behind becomes more frightening."

The commission called on the Church, society, and the government to face the social effects of migration with “greater concern and dedication,” particularly in providing more awareness programs, direct paralegal services, and counseling support to OFWs and the families they left behind, and strengthening the economic capacity of the families.

‘ECMI continues to hope with the Filipino people for a socio-political and economic change in our country which would provide better work opportunities for every Filipino worker here in our very own country so that our countrymen will not be forced to leave their homes at the expense of the proper growth of their families and children," it said.

Such social change could happen if the Filipinos vote wisely in the coming May elections, ECMI added.

ECMI also appealed to the government for “quality legislation and programs" that would promote the welfare of OFWs and their families.

“After all, they are doing our country and society significant economic support through their work and sacrifices," it said.

ECMI executive secretary Fr. Edwin Corros said the theme of this year’s National Migrants’ Sunday was “Social Costs of  Migration: A Deep Concern for the Church" to point out that migration issues are not yet being given much attention by the society.

The host of the 2007 celebration was the Diocese of Antipolo, which was ranked third nationwide with the highest number of OFWs.

The event was celebrated at the Assumption College of Antipolo City Which was preceded by an advocacy parade and a procession of the Birhen ng Antipolo icon.

Around 4,000 OFW families from different parishes of Rizal province and Marikina City participated in the event.

The Church also organized parades, motorcades, releasing of balloons, and film-showings in the dioceses of Manila, Novaliches, Caloocan, Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya, Lipa, Cebu, San Fernando in La Union, Alaminos in Pangasinan, and Bangued in Abra.

Corros said Cagayan Valley is one concern for ECMI because the region had the most number of OFW returnees from strife-ridden Lebanon. The returnees were still waiting for the care of and the promised assistance by the government, he added.