The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has made it easier for emigrants from Mindanao to access pre-departure services through the re-opening of its extension office in Davao City. The CFO is an agency under the Office of the President established on 16 June 1980 through Batas Pambansa 79. Its main task is to promote, uphold, and strengthen Filipino immigrants’ interests, rights, and welfare while maintaining ties with their home country.
The CFO-Davao office is now located at Unit 309, 3rd floor, Pink Walters Building, Quimpo Boulevard, Ecoland, Davao City. The office will start serving the public on Monday, 22 May 2023. The public is advised that attendance at Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) and Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP) is strictly by appointment only. Requests for specific timeslots will not be entertained.
However, walk-ins are accepted for senior citizens, pregnant women (with a medical certification), persons with disabilities (PWDs) holding PWD IDs, and minors aged 12 and below. Anyone interested in accessing the CFO-Davao Migrant Integration and Education Division can contact Joanna Bautista or Celine Del Monte through telephone numbers (082) 228-3033 or mobile numbers 0945-814-4333. One can also reach them through email at cfodavao@cfo.gov.ph.
The CFO is committed to aiding Filipino emigrants in various aspects of their migration journey. It is continuously providing important programs to prepare them for a better future in the country they choose to settle in. Filipino emigrants are numerous and have made significant contributions abroad. They are considered indispensable assets to their host countries and continue to keep close ties to the Philippines.
The CFO takes pride in its role in supporting Filipino migrants, and its re-opening of the extension office in Davao is a timely and necessary move. The CFO offers a broad range of services, including pre-departure services for emigrants, such as the PDOS and GCP. These programs aim to equip Filipinos with knowledge and advice on adaption to a new culture, employment, health, education, and welfare, among others.
Participation in the PDOS is mandatory for Filipino emigrants who are 18 to 45 years old and are leaving the country for work or study purposes. The PDOS is a compulsory seminar covering topics such as culture shock, immigration rules, laws, and work ethics. The seminar aims to prepare emigrants for their new life abroad.
The GCP is a voluntary program available to all Filipino emigrants. The program provides various services, including career counseling, psychosocial support, and advice on family and community matters. The GCP aims to provide support and assistance to Filipinos regarding their socio-emotional welfare and adaptation to the new environment.
Through the CFO’s Migrant Integration and Education Division, emigrants can access necessary information and support regarding their settlement and adaptation needs in their new countries. The division aims to develop and strengthen the skills of Filipinos, to prepare them for the challenges of living and working abroad.
The CFO recognizes the significant contributions of Filipino emigrants in their host countries, and it is making it easier for them to access its services. With the re-opening of its Davao extension office, the CFO hopes to attract more Filipino emigrants, providing them with support and guidance to ease their migration journey.
In conclusion, the CFO is an indispensable agency for Filipino emigrants who want to migrate to foreign lands. The organization provides various services such as the PDOS and GCP to equip them with information and advice to enable them to adapt easily and succeed in their new lands. The re-opening of its extension office in Davao City is an essential step in achieving its mission of providing the best possible support to Filipino emigrants and strengthen their ties with their home country. Filipino emigrants are essential to their host countries’ growth, and the CFO is proud to serve them.
