BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) has opened its doors to service Filipinos in the Cordillera region and Northern Luzon.
CFO Secretary Romulo Arugay and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong led the inauguration of the CFO Baguio satellite Office located at the Gestdan Centrum along Buhagan (Bokawkan) Road in Baguio City on August 7, 2024.
Arugay thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the local government of Baguio thru the Mayor who were instrumental in the establishment of the CFO Satellite Office in Baguio City.
“Our utmost gratitude to all of you for helping us bring our services closer to our fellow Filipinos. Ang pagbubukas ng CFO Baguio Satellite Office ay bunga ng ating sama-samang pagsisikap mula sa ating mga officers at sa lahat ng mga empleyado gayundin sa suporta ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Baguio sa pangunguna ni Mayor Benjie Magalong,” Arugay said in his message.
“Higit sa lahat, ang aking taos pusong pasasalamat sa ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos sa pagtataguyod sa karapatan, kapakanan, at interes ng mga Pilipinong naninirahan sa loob at labas ng bansa! Isang masigabong palakpakan sa ating lahat,” Arugay added.
Arugay stressed that the opening of the CFO Baguio Satellite Office brings their services closer to the people of Baguio City and the Cordillera Administrative Region, and even Northern and Central Luzon residents.
The CFO which is under the Office of the President is tasked to promote and uphold the interests, rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos and strengthen their ties with the Motherland. It registers and provides pre-departure orientation seminars to emigrants. It also promotes the transfer of technology as well as material and financial contributions from overseas for development projects in underserved communities all over the Philippines. It also provides younger generations of Filipinos overseas with opportunities to learn Philippine history and culture.
“With the opening of the CFO Baguio, Cordillerans will no longer need to go to Metro Manila to process their documents. This milestone symbolizes the profound commitment of the Commission to bringing our services closer to the heart of our beloved communities, not only in Baguio City but also in the whole Cordillera Administrative Region,” Arugay said.
“Now, the services they need are at their doorstep. This is a significant step in enhancing our service delivery and making our services more accessible,” he added.
Among the services the CFO provides include the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar, Peer Counseling Program, Guidance and Counseling Program, Country Familiarization Seminar, and PDOS for US Exchange Visitor Program Participants.
Magalong expressed gratitude to CFO for opening a satellite office in Baguio City. He noted that the agency’s services are very helpful to especially to family members or friends who are permanent residents abroad, and as well as Filipino emigrants.
The inauguration was also attended by representatives from other government agencies and partner offices. (RMC-PIA CAR)
