PH Embassy in Manama Hosts Town Hall Meeting

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola (leftmost) addressing the audience and assuring them that the Department is implementing measures in accordance with President Duterte’s directive, in view of his goal to bring a comfortable life for all, especially OFWs. Together with the Undersecretary Arriola in this photo are Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso A. Ver (center) and OUMWA Executive Director Enrico Fos (leftmost). (Manama PE photo)

MANAMA 19 July 2019 – The Philippine Embassy in Manama hosted a town hall meeting with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs  Sarah Lou Y. Arriola and Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) Executive Director Enrico Fos for the 276 beneficiaries of the DFA’s financial assistance program for Filipinos who are eligible for the Labor Market Regulatory Authority’s (LMRA) Flexi Visa at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Conference Center in Manama, Bahrain on 07 July 2019.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso A. Ver explained that the meeting was organized to enable the beneficiaries of DFA’s financial assistance program for Filipinos who are eligible for LMRA’s flexi visa to share their experiences, comments, suggestions or any other information that they may have regarding their status as Flexi Visa holders.

He acknowledged that while the Flexi Visa has provided many out-of-status overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to legalize their status in Bahrain, some kababayans encountered problems or challenges. Moreover, he encouraged those who had good experience with the Flexi Permit to share tips or advise, and explained that those who will share their unfavorable experiences will provide the Embassy and its partners the opportunity to try and resolve the issues.

During the open forum, Ambassador Ver, Undersecretary Arriola and Executive Director Fos responded to queries posed by the participants, including the difficulty of renewing their Central Population Registry (CPR) card, non-issuance of overseas employment certificates (OECs) for Flexi Visa Holders, change in Flexi Visa fees, late fees, and benefits such as medical insurance and return tickets, as well as Immigration front liners who are unfamiliar with the Flexi Permit.

Aside from these mostly administrative challenges, however, majority of those who came up to speak shared very positive experiences and many successes.  Many affirmed that the Flexi Visa has given them the freedom to determine their own success and the confidence that they can make it as long as they continue to persevere.  A participant confirmed that she is now earning more than she used to and that she is now able to regularly send money to her family back home.

Undersecretary Arriola once again thanked the participants for coming to the meeting, and expressed her pleasure in hearing the success stories of some kababayans and asked for patience and understanding for the shortcomings of the program. She assured the participants that the concerns of the OFWs are a priority of the DFA and the Duterte Administration, and stressed that the DFA is committed to work with its partners such as the Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Bureau of Immigration and the LMRA to resolve the issues and concerns regarding the Flexi Permit. END

The town hall meeting ended with a photo opportunity with Ambassador Ver, Undersecretary Arriola and Executive Director Fos. (Manama PE photo)

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