Dialogue with Filipino Organizations in Shanghai Further Drives Toward Swift, More Effective Assistance to Nationals 

Consul Herrera and Special Assistant Hermosura fields questions at the ATN Forum. (Shanghai PCG photo)

SHANGHAI 28 December 2023 – Animated and candid exchanges permeated the “Dialogue on Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN)” hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai and visiting DFA officials on 16 December 2023 with representatives of Filipino organizations.

The forum was held as part of the Consulate General’s ATN program, taking advantage of the presence of representatives of the DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA).

Following keynote remarks by Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Josel F. Ignacio, Consul John Francis S. Herrera gave a briefing on the Consulate General’s ATN work and activities. He touched on the profile of the Filipino Community in eastern China, challenges commonly encountered by Filipinos based on interaction with kababayans and cases handled by PCG, and a survey of relevant local work and immigration policies.

Visiting OUMWA Special Assistant Charleson C. Hermosura delivered a well-received presentation on the DFA’s ATN Mandate, the mandate of the Department of Migrant Workers, the utilization of the ATN Fund, and Legal Assistance services. 

Weaving personal accounts and anecdotes into their talk, the Forum’s resource persons provided an illuminating take on the Consulate General’s and the larger Philippine Foreign Service’s valiant and tireless ATN efforts around the world. 

The open forum saw Filipino community leaders engage in a cordial no-holds-barred discussion with PCG and OUMWA officials, whose readiness to field all queries was greatly appreciated by participants, who came from as far as Hangzhou.

“We are at your service”, emphasized Consul General Ignacio, as he closed the discussions. Further consultations ensued during the fellowship merienda that wrapped up the event. 

The OUMWA Team was in Shanghai from 14 to 17 December. Aside from discussions with PCG on ATN service delivery, the team conducted a visit to a correctional facility and called on Shanghai immigration authorities. END

Consul Herrera present the Consulate General’s ATN Services. (Shanghai PCG photo)

The Consulate General and OUMWA officials with some of the Forum’s participants. (Shanghai PCG photo)

For more information, visit http://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/.