12 March 2014- The Philippine Embassy in Brussels hosted the 1st Assembly of Filipino Community Leaders in Belgium and Luxembourg for the year 2014 on the evening of March 7th at the Chancery’s Conference Room. 

The first Assembly for the year 2014 focused in particular on migrant workers issues and, in particular on trafficking in persons.  Ambassador Reynaldo Catapang, the Executive Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, briefed the Assembly on the Philippine Government’s efforts towards combating trafficking in persons and illegal recruitment.  He also discussed with the leaders the various programs in place to protect the interests of Filipinos overseas and to assist those in distress.

The Embassy convenes the quarterly Assembly of Leaders to update the community about all aspects of the Embassy’s work program that have a bearing on the welfare of Filipinos in Belgium and Luxembourg.  The Assembly also allows the Embassy and the community organizations to exchange views on developments in the Philippines, as well as to plan community-wide events including Independence Day and Christmas celebrations.  END