Held on the weekend of Mar 14-15, the outreach mission served a large number of Filipinos residing not only in Phuket but also in surrounding provinces such as Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang, and Surat Thani, including Koh Samui. For many members of the Filipino community, the activity provided much-needed access to essential government services without the need to travel long distances to Bangkok, saving both time and money.
The two-day mission was led by Consul Susan Phoebe Sabado, who headed the consular outreach team in delivering vital services to Filipinos in southern Thailand. The team worked efficiently to ensure that applicants were assisted promptly and that all services were delivered smoothly despite the large number of attendees.
During the outreach mission, the consular team provided key services including passport application and renewal, solemnisation of marriage, notarisation, and overseas voter registration. These services enabled many Filipinos to update their legal documents, fulfill civil requirements, and register for their right to vote in upcoming Philippine elections.
The mission was conducted in close coordination with several Philippine government agencies. Among them were the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Bangkok and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), which provided essential labor-related services. These included contract verification, issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC), processing of OWWA membership, and assistance with OWWA E-Cards.
Responsive
Also present during the outreach were representatives from the Social Security System (SSS), who assisted members with their contributions, records, and benefit inquiries, as well as the Pag-IBIG Fund or Home Development Mutual Fund. The Pag-IBIG team offered on-site services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and members, helping them update their membership information, access savings programs, and learn more about available housing and loan benefits.
The participation of Pag-IBIG Fund aimed to ensure that members maintain accurate records and remain informed about programs and digital platforms that support Filipinos working abroad. This initiative reflects the government’s continued commitment to making its services more accessible and responsive to the needs of overseas Filipinos.
Many members of the Filipino community expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the outreach mission. They highlighted how such initiatives bring government services closer to Filipinos living outside the capital, making it easier for them to comply with requirements and access assistance.
Beyond providing services, the outreach mission also strengthened the connection between the Philippine government and its citizens abroad, fostering a sense of unity and support within the community.
Filipinos in Phuket and neighbouring provinces look forward to the continuation of similar outreach programs in the future, as these efforts provide vital support, promote welfare, and reinforce the government’s presence among overseas Filipino communities.