PHL Consulate General in Hong Kong Holds Workshop for Women in Shelters

Acting Head of Post Roderico C. Atienza during his welcome remarks at the “Babae, Natatangi 3” interactive workshop held at the Consulate for women migrant workers in various shelters in Hong Kong.

08 December 2017 HONG KONG — The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Hong Kong SAR, in cooperation with the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation (HKBCF), International Social Service-Hong Kong (ISS-HK) and Enrich Hong Kong, organized an interactive workshop for women migrant workers in various shelters in Hong Kong on November 25.

“Babae, Natatangi 3” attracted the participation for the third straight year of 50 women overseas workers from four different shelters in Hong Kong: Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Resource Center (POLO), Bethune House Shelter (Mission for Migrant Workers), Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Filipinos, and Jesus Is Lord.

The Consulate provided information on the various services it and its attached agencies offer, followed by a talk by Ms. Nicole Ying, Health Service Officer of the HKBCF, on the basics of breast care emphasizing that breast health awareness is of paramount importance in preventing and combating breast cancer.

Ms. Katrina Eeyan Villamarin, a trainor and speaker, and Raul Puentespina, head of financial education at Enrich Hong Kong, gave a talk on financial management. The talk was aimed at equipping women in shelters, who earn no salary, with the tools to save, budget, and plan until they get a new employment or they go back to the Philippines.

This was followed by a lecture on stress management and psycho-social counseling by Ms. Valencia Myint and Mandy Chau of ISS-HK.

Simultaneous to the above lectures/workshops, there were also one-on-one sessions for breast examinations, financial management counseling and psycho-social counseling offered as part of the Consulate’s Gender and Development Program.

POLO representatives ended the day with several games and pop quizzes to check the participants’ knowledge of basic Hong Kong labor rules and regulations. Token gifts and certificates of appreciation were given to the participants, speakers and shelter managers.

“Babae, Natatangi 3” was organized pursuant to Republic Act 10398 promoting a day of national consciousness for the elimination of violence against women and children, Section 31 of Republic Act 9710 providing for gender-responsive, rights-based and culture sensitive services and interventions to women in especially difficult circumstances, and Section 26 of Republic Act 9710 ensuring the right to Information regarding policies on women. END

Left photo: Ms. Valencia Myint and Ms. Mandy Chau of International Social Service Hong Kong (ISS-HK) enlightens participants on psycho-social well-being and provides tips to cope with stress, depression, and anxiety at the “Babae, Natatangi 3” interactive workshop; Right photo: Ms. Katrina Eeyan Villamarin of Enrich Hong Kong provides participants with tips on money management while in Hong Kong. 

From left: Participants avail of the one-on-one consultations with the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, Enrich Hong Kong and International Social Service Hong Kong (ISS-HK) at the “Babae, Natatangi 3” interactive workshop.

For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PCGHK/.