PRESS RELEASE
WDC-7-2021
3 March 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Washington DC (POLO-WDC) and Philippine Consulate General in Houston, Texas, with Philippine Honorary Consul Robert Romero, conducted a Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) on 26 February 2021 for the Filipino workers of SONOCO, Louisiana.
Consul General Jerrill Santos in his message said that PAOS is important for workers already onsite to understand their responsibilities and rights under the existing laws of the host country.
“This also complements the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) you have attended prior to your deployment,” Consul General Santos said.
Vice Consul Marco Anthony Lopez discussed the consular services of the Consulate and updates on the latest IATF rules for arriving Filipino workers in the Philippines. He reminded overseas Filipinos of being diligent in relation to the validity of their documents, particularly of their passports. Appointments for passport renewal at this time may be challenging because of the restrictions being implemented due to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Labor Attaché Angela Librado-Trinidad laid out the services of POLO and highlighted the importance of the contract verification process. POLO, as the implementing arm of DOLE, POEA and OWWA, is mandated to review the employment contracts of Filipino workers to ensure that their labor rights and occupational safety are upheld. Honorary Consul Robert Romero extended his gratitude to the Consulate and POLO-WDC for conducting the first PAOS since he was appointed as Honorary Consul. “This PAOS does not only provide information that are necessary for our workers on site, but this also assures our workers that the Philippine government through my office, the Philippine Consulate General in Houston, and POLO-WDC are open anytime for their requests and questions while working on site,” he said.