05 October 2016 — The Philippine Embassy in Athens conducted a seminar and consular outreach for the Filipino community at the Best Western Plaza Hotel on October 02 in Rhodes, Greece.

The consular outreach was conducted with the support of Mr. Michalis Roditis, Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Rhodes and the Filipino community in Rhodes.

The Philippine Embassy also conducted a seminar with lectures on civil registration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) benefits, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) services, and combating human trafficking and smuggling.

During the seminar, Philippine Labor Attaché to Athens Adam A. Musa informed the Filipino community in Rhodes about the services of the POLO in Athens, including new information about Balik Manggagawa Online.

In compliance with Proclamation No. 1106, declaring 2015 to 2024 as Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Decade in the Philippines, Mr. Rommel B. Quisao, Consular Assistant, Assistance-to-Nationals Officer and Attaché, conducted a lecture on civil registration, with specific emphasis on Reports of Birth, Reports of Marriage, and Reports of Death.

Mrs. Roselily A. Villanueva, Administrative Assistant of POLO-OWWA Athens, gave a presentation on the benefits provided by OWWA to its members.

Mrs. Jean V. Santos, Pag-IBIG representative, briefed the Filipino community about the services and benefits of Pag-IBIG. She also provided attendees with tips on how to invest and save their earnings.

Lastly, Ms. Sheila Marie C. Tario, Second Secretary and Consul, delivered a lecture on human trafficking and human smuggling. She encouraged the Filipino community to remain cautious when they receive job offers in order to avoid becoming victims of human trafficking. END