22 March 2005

New Guidance and Counseling/ Registration procedures for Migrating Spouses and other partners of foreign nationals

The Philippine Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has announced that effective 04 April 2005 (Monday), new guidance and counseling procedures for migrating spouses and other partners of foreign nationals will be followed.

The CFO’s counseling program for the said clientele will be devolved to the St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW), a non-stock, pastoral and social service organization under the administration of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. The SMEF-COW will conduct the guidance and counseling to Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals at their premises in Metro Manila and Cebu City while the CFO will continue to issue the guidance and counseling certificate and register the said clientele in accordance with existing requirements.

For Australia-bound clientele, the new SMEF-COW schedule of guidance and counseling sessions are as follows:

Metro Manila: Monday - Friday, 3:30 PM
Cebu City: Monday and Wednesday 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Only 12 counselees in Manila and 10 counselees in Cebu are accommodated per session on a first-come, first-served basis

Please refer to the CFO website (www.cfo.gov.ph) on the processing flowchart, requirements and contact information pertaining to the new counseling and registration procedures.