09 September 2016 — Continued active cooperation between the Philippine Consulate General in Milan and the Prefettura di Milano (Administration of Milan Province) was affirmed in a meeting held on September 06 between Consul General Marichu Mauro and Mrs. Simona Pesole, Vice-Prefetto (Vice-Prefect) of the Province of Milan.

The Consul General thanked the Milanese official for the city’s benevolent treatment of the Filipino workers and requested her to continue promoting and protecting their interests as they are reliable, honest workers and have contributed to the development of the city of Milan. The Vice-Prefetto assured Consul General Mauro that the government of Milan will continue to do so. The two officials met to identify ways in facilitating the processing of documents needed by Filipinos in Milan, which in the city alone are an estimated 50,000.

Issues on human trafficking affecting Filipinos and ways to address them were also discussed.

The Vice-Prefetto was very pleased with the Filipino community, who she said are well-received and respected by the Italian society. She further attested to the trustworthiness and dependability of Filipino workers in Italy.

Consul General Mauro was joined in the meeting by Consul Conrado Demdem, Jr. and Labor and Welfare Attaché Jocelyn Hapal.

The Prefettura is a local agency of the Italian Ministry of Interior which performs the local administrative functions and supervises the administrative activities of the local authorities. END