21 September 2016 — The DFA Regional Consular Office (RCO) in Puerto Princesa celebrated the 2^nd Anniversary of its opening at Robinsons Place Palawan with 63 aspiring OFWs on September 17. The celebration was held in conjunction with the RCO’s 19^th “Handa Ka Na Bang Mag-abroad?” (HKNBM) monthly seminar, which is conducted as part of its Gender and Development (GAD) program. The participants of the seminar are passport applicants from Puerto Princesa City and other municipalities of Palawan intending to work abroad for the first time. 

Educational film clips on human trafficking and illegal recruitment were shown prior to the start of the program. In her welcome remarks, Ms. Liza Jane Estalilla, Officer-in-Charge of RCO Puerto Princesa, highlighted the milestones of the RCO in providing gender-sensitive and client-friendly consular services to the people of Palawan as it celebrates its 2^nd Anniversary and its HKNBM Program, which has benefited more than 2,500 aspiring OFWs from the province since it started in December 2014.                                                                                                                     

Also present during the occasion were the resource speakers from RCO Puerto Princesa’s partner agencies in the HKNBM program, namely, Ms. Adignita Elijan, Family Welfare Officer of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Ms. Maria Cristina Gomez-Remollo, Project Manager of the Skills Training and Employment Program of the Governor’s Office (Governor-STEP). The presentation of the City Public Employment Service (PESO) was delivered by RCO personnel Mr. Carlos Jason Aballa, on behalf of Mr. Bong Lopez, the City PESO Manager. A lively open forum followed the lectures as the participants fielded many questions about their preparations for overseas placement.

Snacks were served and the participants were awarded with Certificates of Participation. They were also provided with the addresses and contact details of the Philippine Embassies and Consulates that are located in their countries of destination. The participants, many of whom have travelled a long way to attend the seminar, expressed their thanks and appreciation for the importance accorded to them during this occasion. END