MWO-WDC JOINS CONSULAR OUTREACH IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

PRESS RELEASE
WDC-5-2026

27 February 2026

Embassy Press and Information Section

info@phembassy-us.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Migrant Workers Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Washington, DC (MWO-OWWA WDC) joined the Philippine Embassy in Brasilia in its consular outreach mission in São Paulo on 22–23 February 2026. Around 57 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) benefited from MWO-OWWA WDC’s presence, availing contract verification, OWWA membership enrollment, and labor consultation services.

The team, led by Labor Attaché Saul T. De Vries, also conducted a Town Hall Meeting with members of the Filipino community on 22 February 2026. Also present during the activity were representatives from the Philippine Embassy, headed by Vice Consul Bien Janine B. Alfaro, and Honorary Consul Masato Ninomiya.

The Town Hall Meeting provided a platform for the Filipino community to raise their concerns, seek guidance, and share their experiences in their plight in the host country. They expressed their appreciation for the outreach mission and the presence of MWO-OWWA in São Paulo. Likewise, they conveyed their gratitude for gaining a better understanding of the programs and services of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and OWWA that are available to support and protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). 

The discussions during the meeting highlighted welfare programs and social benefits such as financial assistance from the DMW AKSYON Fund and scholarship and training benefits from OWWA. Furthermore, the session included information on the rules and regulations on direct-hiring, illegal recruitment, third-country recruitment and workers’ rights and obligations. 

Welfare Officer Mae D. Codilla, Mr. Jo Mari Rifareal and Ms. Freya Palad also formed part of the MWO-OWWA Team who joined the outreach program in São Paulo, Brazil.