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

The forum was held as part of the PCG’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 Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, Consul John Francis S. Herrera gave a briefing on the PCG’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 about PCG’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