Seventy-six Overseas Filipinos (OFs) in Rome received assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the “Sama sa Roma – Serbisyo Caravan for Overseas Filipinos,” held from October 10 to 13 at the Roma Lifestyle Hotel and Viale dell'Oceano Atlantico.
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, DSWD spokesperson, said the participation of DSWD personnel and social workers in international service caravans underscores the agency’s commitment to making government programs accessible to Filipinos abroad.
“Through these caravans, we ensure that the DSWD programs are not only available in the Philippines but also accessible to Filipinos abroad who may need information or help for their families. Ito ay alinsunod din sa utos ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na walang Pilipino ang dapat maiwan sa ‘Bagong Pilipinas’,” Dumlao said.
During the event, the DSWD provided on-site support and consultations on several key programs, including the Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) clearance, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (WiSupport), and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS). DSWD social workers also gave advice on adoption, custody, and family medical concerns.
“These face-to-face activities give us a chance to clarify procedures and provide guidance directly to our OFs. It helps build stronger connections between our offices and the families of overseas Filipinos,” Dumlao added.
Aside from assisting clients, the DSWD delegation also met with officials from the Philippine Embassy in Rome to strengthen coordination in delivering social welfare services to overseas workers and their dependents.
The delegation was led by Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez of the Operations Group, Undersecretary Evelyn Aribon of the Office of the Secretary, Asst. Secretary Ulysses Hermogenes Aguilar of Community Engagement, and Asst. Secretary Dumlao.
Spearheaded by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the caravan brought together several government agencies to provide programs and frontline services to Filipinos in Europe and their families in the Philippines. The Rome leg is part of the “Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo Caravan,” a global outreach program led by the DMW that began in Hong Kong and has since expanded to the Middle East, Asia, and Europe — ensuring that no Filipino is left behind in accessing government support.