Filipino Retirees & Employees Overseas Movement
The Filipino Retirees and Employees Overseas Movement (FREOM, Inc) is a full pledge organization of Filipino migrant workers founded by Juanito "Boy" Mongado Jr. on July 19, 1995.
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The Organization
On April 1996, Filipino Retirees and Employees Overseas Movement (FREOM) obtained full approval of its existence as a full pledge organization of Filipino migrant workers from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that reinforces its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, prior to its formal registration FREOM Officers and Members have been actively pursuing its inception on July 19, 1995. FREOM is enjoying high esteem as an OCW organization in terms of its increasing members, district-wise. The organization is currently composed of six (6) districts in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia viz. Dammam, Dhahran, Doha, Jubail, Khobar, and Qatif where each district has its own set of officers and members. On top of this, the Board of Trustees and the Council of District Representative undertakes the overall administration of the organization.
Freom has actively participated in most of the activities spearheaded by the Philippine Embassy through the All Filipino Community and Sports Commission (AFCSCOM) in its drive to create an atmosphere of "oneness" among Filipino expatriates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Subsequently, in commemoration of the Philippine Centennial the Board of Trustees has reaffirmed their support in the establishment of business enterprise in the Philippines for the benefits of all its members. The Organization has launched robust campaign to increase its membership in order to widen the benefits not only to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) but also to all retiring employees who are willing to support the objectives. Lifetime membership fee is U.S. $25.00 which will be used to fund the various development projects and to finance future business enterprises which are already being planned and due to start by securing a lot to where the first resettlement home for the members will be located.
The Corporation
Goldenflame Holdings Corporation was established and registered with the Philippine Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 27, 2005. Fifty percent (50%) of its paid up capital is fully owned by the Organization represented by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer. The first business venture and resettlement project was unanimously approved by the board and to start particularly at Cabadiangan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.
The resettlement will contain not only the housing facilities but also package of services for those who will settle there. Among other facilities are mini commercial sites, health center, recreational facilities, maintenance and security support units. The resettlement Home Is envisioned to be a community by itself owned and operated by FREOM members and their families.
The Officers
The officers of FREOM as of October 2011 are as follows:
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Juanito B. Mongado Jr.
Board of Trustees
- Chairman = Engr. Faizal Sarque
- Vice Chairman (Internal) = Ludovico "Jun" Estruche Jr.
- Vice Chairman (External) = Dra. Resureccion Ramos
- Secretary General = Abe Regalado
- Treasurer = Virginia Mongado
- Auditor = Arnel L. Refuerzo
- P.R.O. = Dinan Arana
Board Members
- Mary Garcia
- Debbie Sanggalang
- Leo Camba
- Ruel Poliquit
- Lito Grepo
- Gerry Neyra
- Lito Sigua
- Mario Sierra
Advisers
- Jose Avancena
- Felixnito Frias
Objectives
- To provide assistance to members in need of help, to establish a common fund, which will be used for projects with the purposes of attaining the organization's goal;
- To provide financial assistance to all its members during their employment, upon retirement and emergency cases;
- To provide assistance to job seeking member upon their resettlement in the Philippines by employing their talents and skills wherever appropriates;
- To support and assist the members who are business oriented in developing and establishing business enterprises upon their resettlement in the Philippines;
- To establish recreation and home for the aged, wherein members would enjoy their leisure time and provides shelter & assistance upon our retirement.
Timeline
- July 19, 1995 - Juanito "Boy" Mongado Jr. with a handful of Filipino expatriates working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia founded FREOM, Inc.
- April 1996 - the organization obtained full approval of its existence as a full pledge organization of Filipino migrant workers from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that reinforces its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- June 1998 - in commemoration of the Philippine Centennial the Board of Trustees has reaffirmed their support in the establishment of business enterprise in the Philippines for the benefits of all members.
- July 30, 1999 - Ambassador Rafael Seguis Inducted the newly elected officers and members of Jubail District which was held at Nesma Compound, Jubail. Arnel Refuerzo as the District president.
- December 30, 1999 - FREOM Online was officially launched to reached all its members around the world.
- June 2000 - The first issue of FREOM Newsletter (Pictured) was released by the editorial team headed by Arnel Refuerzo as Editor-in-Chief.
- July 19, 2000:
- Philippine Labor Attaché, Atty. Jainal Rasul Jr. and Mr. Juanito Mongado, Jr., Founder & CEO of FREOM, Inc. unveils the architectural design of the FREOM Home during the 5th Foundation celebration.
- Labor Attaché, Atty. Jainal Rasul Jr. inducted the newly elected members of the Board of Trustees, Jun Estruche, Arnel Refuerzo, Joey Antonio and Abe Regalado.
- September 27, 2005 - Goldenflame Holdings Corporation was established and registered with the Philippine Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) as a business arm of FREOM, Inc. Fifty percent (50%) of its paid up capital is fully owned by the Organization represented by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
- March 30, 2007 - Engr. Faisal Sharque, a former OFW Party List group nominee and presently the head of Filipino Retirees Employees & Overseas Movement, jointly made an appeal among Overseas Filipinos for unity and should join hands together to pursue the OFW dream of having a true representation in Congress in a meeting held at Al Mutlaq, Hotel on March 30, 2007.
- April 1, 2007 - FREOM, Inc. joined The International Coalition for Overseas Filipinos’ Voting Rights (ICOFVR) campaign in passing the ABSENTEE VOTING BILL.
- August 17, 2011 - Constitution and By-Laws was submitted to Philippines Embassy - Riyadh.
- September 4, 2011 - Philippine Embassy - Riyadh issued a Certificate of Registration that recognizes FREOM, Inc. as a legitimate Filipino Community association.
Sources
This article incorporates material from the organization's archieves, retrieved on February 2012.