Filipino Community in Barcelona Gets Updates from DFA and MWO on PH Government's Plans for OFWs

Filipino community leaders in Barcelona pose with Philippine Consul General to Barcelona Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro and DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo Jose de Vega at the first town hall meeting organized by the Consulate in 2023. (Barcelona PCG photo)

BARCELONA 16 February 2023 — Over 100 leaders of Filipino community organizations based in Catalonia were in attendance at the first Community Town Hall organized by the Philippine Consulate General this year held on Friday, 10 February 2023 at the Consulate. Participants were brought up to speed on the government’s programs for Filipino migrant workers, especially in light of the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers, through a comprehensive presentation by DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, Eduardo Jose de Vega. 

Philippine Consul General to Barcelona Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro welcomed the community leaders, some of whom came all the way from Andorra and some participating via Zoom from Tenerife and Las Palmas, and expressed her appreciation for their close coordination with the Consulate on matters involving the community. She also announced several upcoming Consulate projects, such as Saturday openings for Consular services and planned seminars on various topics. She further encouraged them to participate in the Q and A after the presentations, to ensure that their members’ concerns were answered. 

Also in attendance were Madrid-based Labor Attaché Atty. Nelson Victorino and OWWA Welfare Officer Ms. Maria Corazon Sangco, who discussed the functions of the Madrid Migrant Workers Office (formerly POLO Madrid), and OWWA services, respectively.

After a lively question and answer session, during which questions regarding the delineation of services among DFA-OUMWA, MWO, and OWWA were discussed, Consul General Lazaro, Undersecretary de Vega, and Labor Attaché Victorino took the opportunity to catch up with the community leaders. END

OUMWA Undersecretary De Vega and Consul General Lazaro speak to the community on the Consulate’s plans, and how it will continue to work seamlessly with the Labor Office to ensure efficient assistance to nationals. (Barcelona PCG photo)