𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐅𝐖 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬: 𝐏𝐀𝐅𝐈𝐎𝐎 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐅𝐎 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐈

Engr. Mario Balboa, a 2022 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) Banaag Awardee, paid a courtesy visit today to Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).

Engr. Balboa shared his continuing efforts to champion the professional development of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), especially Filipino engineers and architects. He recalled the establishment of the Philippine Council of Engineers and Architects (PCEA)—an umbrella organization of multiple professional groups in KSA—which he helped form to safeguard and advance the careers of OFW professionals. The PCEA is officially recognized by the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE).

He also discussed his current initiatives, including the regular holding of the Special Professional Licensure Examinations (SPLE) in KSA and other Middle Eastern countries, which would make it more accessible for OFWs seeking to obtain or upgrade their professional licenses. He sought the support of the CFO to make this available in other countries outside the Middle East as well.

Engr. Balboa was conferred the PAFIOO Award in 2022 for his steadfast commitment to the welfare and professional advancement of OFW professionals and communities in the Middle East.