24 September 2014 - Some 157 Filipino household service workers (HSWs) in Singapore attended the post-arrival orientation seminar (PAOS) conducted by the Philippine Embassy through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Singapore headed by Labor Attaché Vicente M. Cabe on September 21.

The PAOS, held at the chancery at 20 Nassim Road, was graced by Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad who was in Singapore to participate in a “Leaders Forum” conducted by the Civil Service College and sponsored by Temasek Foundation.

Also present were officers of the Philippine Embassy and the representatives of POLO, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Defense and Armed Forces Attaché and Social Security System in Singapore who served as resource speakers along with representatives of PNB-Singapore gave tips on financial management and also donated lunch for the participants.

Held once in every two months, the PAOS provides orientation to newly-arrived HSWs to help them adjust to life in Singapore. The topics covered in the seminar include services offered by the Philippine Embassy and POLO as well as advice on living a safe, responsible and enjoyable life in the city-state.

The event is also an opportunity for HSWs to register as overseas voters for the Philippine national elections in 2016.

Ambassador Morales and Undersecretary Lagunzad shared to the participants the various initiatives of the Philippine government to help HSWs cope with challenges of living abroad as well as activities to assist their family members who are left behind in the Philippines to ensure that their hard work and sacrifices will not be for naught.

The next PAOS will be integrated to the “Safety and Security Awareness Workshop”, in November 2014, which will be implemented by the Philippine Embassy in collaboration with the Singapore Police Force (SPF). END