Guidance and counseling for spouses and other partners of foreign nationals

Beginning 4 April 2005, the counseling program of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) will devolve to the St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation ?Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW), a non-stock, pastoral and social service organization under the administration of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. The SMEF-COW will conduct the guidance and counseling to Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals at their premises in Metro Manila and Cebu City while the CFO will continue to issue the guidance and counseling certificate and register the said clientele in accordance with existing requirements.

Under the DFA Department Orders No. 28-94 and 11-97, Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals are required to attend guidance and counseling program as a pre-requisite of issuance of passports. The objective is to help the said clientele make informed decisions and prepare them for the realities of cross-cultural marriages.

After the receipt of the passport and visa, the Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals will have to register with CFO prior to their departure. An emigrant registration sticker is affixed to the emigrant passport as proof of registration.

Procedures for guidance and counseling registration, schedule of sessions in Manila and Cebu and addresses of SMEF-COW

Beijing Filipino Community raises P195,000 for typhoon victims

The Filipino Community in Beijing responded positively to the national government action program to provide relief for the typhoon victims and rehabilitation for typhoon-ravaged areas in Luzon. A total of P194,529 was collected by the Philippine Embassy in Beijing mostly during the Filipino Community Christmas Party held on 12 December 2004 at the Embassy. On 20 December, Ambassador and Mrs. Willy C. Gaa, together with Vice Consul Charlotte Tang and Filipino Community representatives namely Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Ona, turned over to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo the amount of one hundred twenty six thousand two hundred sixty pesos and ten centavos (P126,260.10) intended for the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). In the afternoon of the same day, Ms. Resie Ona turned over the amount of sixty eight thousand two hundred sixty eight (P68,268.90) to the Philippine National Red Cross in Manila.

The Christmas Party, with the theme askong Puno ng K,?/I> saw a record number of attendees and raffle prizes, and showcased the best Filipino bands and performing artists in Beijing. The Filipinos?concern for the typhoon victims was apparent throughout the festivities, with a spontaneous outpouring of donations from all quarters represented, and through novel fund-raising schemes, such as lucky raffle draw winners voluntarily auctioning off their prizes for the benefit of the typhoon victims. As Ambassador Willy C. Gaa stated during his welcome remarks, askong Puno ng K?not only referred to ainan, Kantahan at Kodakan,? but more importantly, to Christ birth (Kaarawan ni Kristo) and the community support for the typhoon victims (Kawanggawa at Kalinga sa ating mga Kababayan). The party, which was attended by Chinese MFA officials headed by Director General Cui Tiankai, also afforded Ambassador Gaa the opportunity to thank the Chinese Government for its $250,000 contribution to the Philippine Government relief efforts.



Department of Foreign Affairs press release:http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2004/dec/pr861.htm

photo release:http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2004/photo/agr/gaadonation.htm