Manila: The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), led by Secretary Dante Francis "Klink" Ang II, is committed to advancing its mission to promote and protect the interests, rights, and welfare of overseas Filipinos while strengthening their connections with the Philippines. This was emphasized by Ang during the 2nd 'Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel' at the Rizal Park Hotel in Manila recently.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ang highlighted that since its establishment in 1980, and under the directive of President Marcos himself, the CFO aims to support the interests and welfare of Filipinos residing abroad. This statement was made during a media forum sponsored by PAGCOR and Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso Moreno.
Ang explained that the CFO is one of three government agencies serving Filipino migrants. The Department of Foreign Affairs addresses the needs of all overseas Filipinos, while the Department of Migrant Workers focuses on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The CFO specifically caters to permanent Filipino residents abroad.
The CFO's scope includes Filipino permanent migrants or residents overseas, Filipino spouses and partners of foreign nationals, Filipino youth abroad, descendants of Filipinos overseas, Au Pair program participants, exchange visitor program participants, and naturalized citizens or dual citizens.
Among the programs initiated by CFO are YouLeaD, a cultural immersion initiative for Filipino youth born abroad or who migrated early; LINKAPIL, which facilitates resource transfers from Filipinos overseas to support social and economic development projects in the Philippines; and BaLinkBayan, which assists overseas Filipinos in engaging in activities like investments, donations, and skills transfer in the Philippines.
Ang expressed that these programs aim to connect overseas Filipinos with their home country and encourage them to become partners in development. He also referred to the Philippine Schools Overseas, which serve the educational needs of children of Filipinos abroad and help integrate them into the Philippine educational system.
Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel is a pioneering media forum hosted by the Association of Philippine Journalists - Samahang Plaridel Foundation. Currently, it is led by Evelyn Quiroz as president and Rolando Estabillo as chair. Samahang Plaridel, an organization of veteran journalists, was founded in 2002 by Philippine media figures such as Max Soliven, Adrian Cristobal, Neil Cruz, Julie Yap-Daza, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, and Estabillo.
