DFA tells PHL envoys to focus more on serving Pinoys abroad


The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said the country's embassies and consulates will now focus more on serving Filipinos abroad, particularly the distressed workers.
The DFA said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano conveyed the message during a two-day command conference with the country's ambassadors and consuls general deployed around the globe.
It said Cayetano assured that the Philippine foreign service posts will "have all the support and resources they need to allow them to serve our people quicker and better.
The command conference was held in Taguig City on Thursday and Friday.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Concerns Sarah Lou Arriola said Cayetano relayed the government's "direction" on how the country's foreign posts can "more effectively serve our kababayans abroad.”
The DFA said this is in line President Rodrigo Duterte's directive to "ensure that all government agencies are able to provide quick, efficient and enhanced services to Filipinos all over the world."
Arriola said issues on migration, security, extremism and terrorism in the Asia-Pacific region were also tackled during the conference.
She said the ambassadors and consuls general were briefed on passport and consular-related issues, the implementation of new rules on the Assistance to Nationals and Legal Assistance Funds for Overseas Filipinos, and maximizing the use of social media in advancing Philippine interests in the region. —Margaret Claire Layug/ALG, GMA News

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