DFA Holds Regional Assistance-to-Nationals, Contingency Planning, and Consular Caucus in the Asia and Pacific Region
Participants of the Regional ATN, Contingency Planning and Consular Caucus for Asia and the Pacific Region (Bangkok PE photo)
BANGKOK 02 January 2025 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs (OUMA), the Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs (OUCSCA), and the Office of Consular Affairs (OCA), in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand held the fourth and final of a series of regional Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN), Contingency Planning, and Consular Caucuses of Philippine Foreign Service Posts. The caucus was held at the Okura Prestige Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand from 03-04 December 2024.
The caucus is part of a series of regional consultation and planning meetings organized by OUMA, OUCSCA, and OCA to consistently improve the delivery of relevant, efficient, and effective services to overseas Filipinos.
DFA-OUMA provided updates to Foreign Service Posts in Asia and the Pacific Region on the latest developments in the Philippines' migration policies. Discussions included the significant role of Filipino communities abroad and strategies to harness the benefits of the Filipino diaspora.
OUCSCA discussed the concept of the "Bayanihan Corps," inspired by the Filipino tradition of communal unity. This initiative aims to establish a coordinated system for providing humanitarian aid to overseas Filipinos.
Embassies and Consulates General in the region also discussed the impact of regional issues that impact migrant communities such as war, civil unrest, geopolitical flashpoints, illegal border crossings, forced criminality, human trafficking and transnational crimes. They also exchanged best practices for delivering assistance to nationals while helping our citizens navigate foreign legal and judicial frameworks, as well as strategies to implement evacuation or repatriation scenarios in challenging security landscapes.
OCA presented updates on the New Philippine Passport Act (RA 11983), including revised requirements for passport applications and renewals. The dynamics and realities in processing civil registry documents under Philippine laws were also discussed. Additionally, new visa application procedures and changes to apostille authentication processes were covered.
The caucus was attended by 71 participants from 31 Philippine Foreign Service Posts. The participants from Foreign Service Posts included Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Foreign Service Officers, while participants from the Home Office included Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Deputy Assistant Secretaries and Directors. END
Discussion of DFA Undersecretary Eduardo José A. de Vega (on screen) on the status of the Philippine migration policy. (DFA OUMA photo)
Assistant Secretary for Migration Affairs Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. moderating a discussion with Office of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito S. Cruz and Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Special Assistant Winston Dean Almeda as panel discussants. (DFA OUMA photo)
Representatives from various Foreign Service Posts in a breakout group session discussing matters relevant to their region. (DFA OUMA photo)