Hundreds of Filipinos in Cambodia availed of frontline government services at the 5th Multi-Agency Service Mission (MASM) organized by the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh and participated in by various government agencies on 02 to 03 April 2016.
Officials from the Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) based in Singapore, as well as the Social Security System, PhilHealth, Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) joined hands with the Consular Team of the Philippine Embassy in providing on-site services to at least 328 Filipinos who attended the two-day event.
“The MASM is a manifestation of the Philippine Government's thrust of bringing public services closer to the people,” Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Christopher B. Montero told members of the Filipino community during the opening of the event.
In addition to offering on-site services, representatives of participating agencies provided briefings on their respective agency programs and services.
POEA Director Yolanda Paragua shared information on OFW deployment procedures, measures to prevent illegal recruitment and the dangers of being a tourist worker while OWWA, SSS and PhilHealth representatives outlined the various benefits offered to its active members, such as scholarships, pensions and medical bill reimbursements. Immigration Officers from the Bureau of Immigration provided a briefing on departure formalities for outbound Filipino travelers, while the DBP gave tips on financial literacy and investment opportunities for OFWs. Dr. Romeo Orteza, a neuro-surgeon of St. Luke's Hospital, likewise imparted valuable information on health and wellness particularly for OFWs in stressful working environments.
Filipino community members acknowledged the MASM as a worthy initiative of the Embassy as it saves them time and money that could have been spent lining up for government frontline services while vacationing in the Philippines. END
