5 March 2023 - Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo Jose A. de Vega of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA, seated, center) met with Filipino community volunteer groups whose members, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, provided various types of assistance to Filipino families affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye.
The town hall meeting, organized by the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, was attended by overseas Filipino workers, permanent residents, dual citizens, and naturalized Turkish citizens who have yet to reacquire their Filipino citizenship. Also attending were volunteer groups based in Istanbul. There were also Filipino students taking up medicine or other disciplines in Turkish higher educational institutions.
After explaining the Philippine government’s assistance to nationals (ATN) program, the Undersecretary fielded questions on the participants’ concerns regarding their residency status, visa issues, citizenship matters, medical assistance, and assistance for the earthquake survivors whose homes were completely destroyed. He was assisted by Philippine Ambassador to Türkiye Maria Elena P. Algabre and by Ms Shirlene Mananquil and Jed Dayang, Philippine Consul Generals in Istanbul and Ankara, respectively. Former Labor Attaché Angelita S. Narvaez, current manager of the One Repatriation Command Center of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW-ORCC), also replied to concerns raised on accessing services for OFWs such as contract verification, OWWA membership and reintegration.
Undersecretary de Vega further clarified that those with Filipino and dual citizenship are entitled to receive ATN services, including the option of being repatriated to the Philippines for those whose homes in Türkiye were destroyed.
He explained how Filipinos who decide to stay in Türkiye should seek the assistance of the Turkish government, and assured the town hall participants that he will inquire on the assistance program of the Turkish government for earthquake survivors, particularly for Filipino migrants, when he meets with Turkish officials the following day. END
