14 February 2014 - Sixty-five (65) OFWs attended the 2nd Kapihan sa Pasuguan held on February 09 at the St. Anthony Church in Damascus. The Philippine Embassy had earlier promised for the conduct of the said event to regularly update overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) of the developments in the security situation of Syria and the ongoing Mandatory Repatriation Program (MRP) of the Philippine government.
Charge d’ Affaires (CDA) Nestor N. Padalhin formally opened the program, while Vice Consul Francis Maynard S. Maleon, and Rapid Response Team members Rex Arvin Malimban and Hector Cruz served as main speakers.
CDA Padalhin welcomed the OFWs, and thanked them for their valuable presence. He cited the importance of the Kapihan in light of the ongoing crisis in Syria. Furthermore, CDA Padalhin emphasized that while the violence is mostly experienced outside the main city of Damascus, the need to be vigilant at all times is likewise important. Although the Syrian government is currently participating in the second round of peace talks in Geneva, military confrontations between Syrian military and opposition fighters in hotspot areas are still far from over.
CDA Padalhin also encouraged OFWs, particularly those who work part-time and not earning sufficient income, to avail of the MRP. Since the start of the MRP, the Syrian government has been very supportive of the Embassy’s efforts to repatriate Filipino nationals who availed of this program.
The 2nd Kapihan sa Pasuguan aimed to remind OFWs of the MRP and for them to avail of the said program. Philippine National Police (PNP) RRT member, Rex Malimban asked attendees to act as “force multiplier” by helping the Embassy to inform other OFWs, especially those who cannot go out from their employers’ houses, about the ongoing program. Mr. Malimban also briefed attendees about the unstable security situation of the country and advised them to be cautious in their daily movements.
Vice Consul Francis Maynard S. Maleon assured the participants that the Embassy’s consular section is still operational, however, it can only extend passport to applicants whose employers assured that their working visas would be renewed. OFWs with expired passports and working permits are therefore encouraged to avail of the MRP. VC Maleon also advised Filipino nationals, married to Syrian with children, who will avail of the MRP to make sure to have their important documents such as Report of Marriage and Report of Birth ready before leaving for the Philippines.
Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) RRT Member, Hector Cruz convinced attendees that now is the time to take advantage of the MRP, since the Philippine government has already other programs awaiting for those who were displaced by this conflict. Mr. Cruz stressed that the government had just recently approved job orders for Filipinos who would like to work in Canada, Australia and South Korea.
Some OFWs were able to asked questions about the Embassy’s consular services during the program.
At the end of the event, the Philippine Embassy officers and staff and OFWs shared light snacks, tea and coffee. END