DFA Launches Initiative to Strengthen Overseas Travel Orientations 

DFA Undersecretary Jesus “Gary” Domingo addresses representatives from embassies, international organizations, and Philippine government agencies during the initial consultation on enhancing orientation programs for outbound Filipinos and visiting foreign nationals, held at the DFA Office, DoubleDragon Tower.

MANILA 30 June 2025 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs (OUCSCA), has launched an initiative to strengthen orientation programs for Filipinos traveling abroad and foreign nationals visiting the Philippines. 

The initial consultation, held at the DFA Office at Double Dragon Tower, brought together representatives from international organizations and diplomatic missions of countries with large Filipino communities. Key Philippine government agencies, including the Department of Migrant Workers and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas also actively participated in the discussions. 

Participants included representatives from the Embassies of Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United States, International Organization on Migration, and the New Zealand Filipino Community (Whakamana Program). 

Participants discussed existing programs, shared best practices, and explored ways to better prepare travelers for cross-cultural engagement and compliance with host country laws. Diplomatic representatives shared insights into their efforts to orient both Filipino nationals traveling to their countries and their own citizens visiting the Philippines, as well as programs that foster cultural understanding and people-to-people exchange. 

Meanwhile, Philippine government agencies offered valuable insight on the content of Pre-Departure and Post-Arrival Orientation Seminars (PDOS/PAOS) and discussed strategies to make these orientations more tailored and relevant to specific destinations and traveler profiles. Strategies on enhancing the current programs and identifying opportunities for collaboration in traveler education were also discussed. 

Undersecretary Jesus “Gary” Domingo emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying, “This ensures that our citizens are equipped, and empowered to navigate the challenges of travel whether for work, commerce, study, tourism, migration. It also seeks to create ‘Volunteer Ambassadors’ who will promote goodwill and strengthen ties between our nations.” END

Representatives from embassies, international organizations, and government agencies pose for a group photo during the DFA’s initial consultation on enhancing orientation programs for outbound Filipinos and visiting foreign nationals.