DFA Conducts Kumustahan with the Filipino Community in Perth, Western Australia

Atty. Reynaldo Catapang, DFA Assistant Secretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, discusses the Philippine Government programs for migrant workers with the Filipino Community in Perth, Western Australia

06 September 2017 PERTH — On August 23, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) organized a Kumustahan with the Filipino Community at the Filipino-Australia Club of Perth, Inc. (FACPI) Clubhouse in Perth, Western Australia.

DFA Assistant Secretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Atty. Reynaldo Catapang, Consul Jim San Agustin of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, Atty. Rodolfo Sabulao of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Canberra, Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) Director Roseny Fangco and incoming Honorary Consul Mr. Michael Gillis were on hand to apprise the community on recent Philippine developments and Philippine Government programs impacting Overseas Filipinos.

More than 30 Filipino Community representatives attended the event.  Among the issues raised were the Department of Labor and Employment program intended to replace the Overseas Employment Certificate with the iDole card, and the Australian government changes to the 457 visa scheme.  There were also extensive discussions on reacquisition and retention of Philippine citizenship under RA 9225.

Assistant Secretary Catapang later joined Department of Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco in leading the Philippine delegation to the high-level Bali Process Government & Business Forum.  Foreign Affairs officials from member countries, including Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, joined influential business leaders across the Indo-Pacific to discuss mechanisms in combating modern slavery, including human trafficking and forced labor. END

Left photo: Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Catapang with Consul Jim San Agustin, Atty. Rodolfo Sabulao of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, and members of the Filipino Community. Right photo: The Philippine delegation to the Bali Process Government and Business Forum headed by Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco.