PH Consulate General Looks After Welfare of Distressed Filipino Fishermen in Bitung City

Philippine Consulate General in Manado Distributes Welfare Assistance and Conducts Consular Services for 23 Filipinos in Distress. (Manado.PCG photo)

MANADO 21 March 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Manado visited 23 Filipino fishermen in Bitung City last 15 and 18 March to assess their physical and mental health and provide essential aid, including food assistance and medicine.

Bitung City is in North Sulawesi Province whose territory stretches across waters adjacent to the Philippine-Indonesia Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) border. Many Filipino fishermen navigate close to the EEZ border and face various challenges and uncertainties at sea in pursuit of their livelihoods. Recognizing the significance of their role and the risks they encounter, Manado PCG takes proactive steps to engage with these fishermen whenever they find themselves in distress in Indonesia.

Members of the Consulate General talked to each fisherman to understand their individual needs and concerns. This will guide the Consulate General in facilitating the resolution of their respective issues and secure clearance for their repatriation to the Philippines.

The conversations included information about their families which enabled the Consulate General to facilitate communication between them and their loved ones back home. Shortly after the visit, the fishermen were able to contact their families in the Philippines. END

The Philippine Consulate General in Manado assisting the distressed Filipinos through its consular service. (Manado PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.manadopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinManado/ Or https://www.instagram.com/phinmanado/.