SEVERAL Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) benefited from the Lingkod Kababayan outreach programme recently staged by the Philippine Embassy at its premises in Manama.
Lingkod Kababayan means ‘serving the Filipinos’ and is the special Friday consular service provided to members of the community.
Ambassador-designate Gines Gallaga and vice consul Charlie Prenicolas were present, along with other embassy officials and representatives from various government agencies.
The attendees sought help on a range of consular services, including passport renewals, civil registry transactions, notarial services, along with the chance to register for overseas voting and collect their COMELEC (Commission on Elections) IDs.
Key partner agencies like the Migrant Workers Office, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Social Security System (SSS) were also present and consulted on issues related to welfare, employment and social security.
“We plan to hold this event once-a-month and encourage everyone to check our website and Facebook page for updates, or join the embassy’s WhatsApp group to receive timely announcements,” Mr Gallaga said about the initiative, which aims to bring essential government services closer to Filipino people working abroad.
Guaria Panda, a beauty consultant from Riffa, shared how the programme has been a ‘real game-changer’ for OFWs who can struggle to visit the embassy during normal working hours.
“I can’t go on a regular day because of my job and taking leave to renew my passport isn’t easy. This initiative is fantastic for us. Big thanks to the Philippine Embassy for its amazing work,” Ms Panda, aged 64, said.
Meanwhile, Rowena R, a 48-year-old domestic worker from Hamad Town, shared her experience, saying: “I wanted to resume paying my monthly SSS contributions after keeping it on hold for some time so I can reach the required 120 months and eventually qualify for the pension plan. I was able to enquire about the details and learned it can be done online, which was helpful.”
The Philippine Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining programmes that promote the welfare, protection and empowerment of OFWs, emphasising that such initiatives are vital in strengthening unity, resilience and solidarity within the Filipino community abroad.
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