PH Consulate General in Dubai empowers Filipino students through migration and policy forum
In celebration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai successfully hosted a landmark event entitled 'Bridging Generations, Bridging Futures: A Forum on Philippine Migration and Diaspora Policy' on 12 June 2025 at Al Habtoor Palace, Dubai.
Consul General Marford M. Angeles formally opened the forum and welcomed over 65 participants, comprising students, faculty members, and administrators from leading universities in the United Arab Emirates, as well as members of the local media.
Consul General Marford M. Angeles Consul General Marford M. Angeles
In his remarks, the Consul General underscored the importance of cultivating awareness among the youth on migration-related issues.
The forum was conceived as part of the Consulate's continuing efforts to engage overseas Filipinos in meaningful dialogue on migration governance, diaspora engagement, and the evolving role of Filipinos abroad in national development.
The event brought together government officials, scholars, policy experts, industry leaders, and youth representatives for an enriching exchange of perspectives on the dynamics of Philippine migration policy and diaspora affairs.
Distinguished keynote speakers included H.E. Alfonso A. Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Migration Affairs Mr. Robert Ferrer, Jr.; and Labor Attaché John Rio Bautista.
Their addresses provided the audience with timely updates and in-depth insights into the Philippine government's strategic direction on migration, protection mechanisms for overseas Filipinos, and efforts to strengthen bilateral labor relations.
The forum featured a robust line-up of esteemed experts and panelists, including Mr. Froilan Malit, renowned migration policy consultant; Dr. William Gueraiche, an expert on geopolitics and international relations; Mr. Akram Assaf, Chief Technology Officer of Bayt.com; and H.E. Grace Relucio-Princesa, former Philippine Ambassador to the UAE.
Mr. Froilan Malit, renowned migration policy consultant Dr. William Gueraiche, an expert on geopolitics and international relations H.E. Grace Relucio-Princesa, former Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Mr. Akram Assaf, Chief Technology Officer of Bayt.com
Their thought-provoking discussions delved into critical issues such as the socio-economic contributions of Filipinos in the Gulf, the historical significance of Filipina migrants, migration politics within the UAE-Philippines corridor, and emerging labour market trends in the region and their implications for migrant workers.
Interactive panel sessions and open fora enriched the dialogue further, offering attendees a platform to engage directly with the experts. A highlight of the event was the active participation of young Filipinos, who articulated their views on contemporary migration challenges and aspirations for the future. Their engagement underscored the importance of youth inclusion in policy discourse and affirmed their potential as future leaders of the Filipino diaspora.
The forum was graced by the attendance and enthusiastic participation of faculty members and students from prominent academic institutions, including Bath Spa University–RAK, Canadian University Dubai, University of Bolton Academic Centre–RAK, Westford University College, and Mapúa Malayan Digital College. Their presence added depth to the discussions and reflected the event's objective to bridge generations through education and civic engagement.
With its strong turnout and insightful contributions from all sectors, the event demonstrated the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai's dedication to promoting inclusive dialogue, community empowerment, and informed policymaking in support of the global Filipino.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Filipino Times
Philippine Embassy in UAE to close on June 27 for Islamic New Year
The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi will be closed on Friday, June 27, 2025, in observance of the Islamic New Year. In an advisory, the Embassy announced it will resume normal operations on Monday, 30 June 2025. The UAE government earlier declared the Islamic New Year a paid holiday for both public and private sector workers. Islamic New Year, or Hijri New Year, marks the beginning of the new lunar calendar year and is a time for reflection for Muslims. The Embassy advised Filipinos to plan visits and process documents early to avoid delays during the holiday. For urgent concerns, the public may contact [email protected], [email protected], or reach its hotlines: Assistance-to-Nationals: +971 504438003; Consular and Other Concerns: +971 508137836. MWO: +971 56 270 9157
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: 18 Filipinos stranded at DXB repatriated home amid Israel-Iran conflict
The Philippine government has successfully repatriated 18 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were stranded at Dubai International Airport. They arrived on June 13 and were supposed to be on their way to work in Israel and Jordan but were stranded in Dubai due to the temporary shutdown of major airports amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Philippine labour attache John Rio Aceveda Bautista told Khaleej Times on Tuesday the OFWs arrived on Friday and were repatriated on June 15. Fifteen of the repatriated OFWs were returning workers to Israel, while three were newly hired workers bound to Jordan. After arriving in Manila on Monday, they were temporarily housed at a hotel, according to the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). DMW secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said each OFW received Ph50,000 (Dh3,335) in financial assistance. 'This is not simply aid but a safety net as they have temporarily lost their source of income,' said Cacdac, adding the OFWs will also receive transportation allowance back to their respective home provinces. Meanwhile, Eduardo de Vega, undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the security threat in Israel is classified by the Philippine government as under alert level 2, meaning there are heightened risks to safety and security. 'Mandatory repatriation is based on alert levels,' Cacdac noted. 'We are still coordinating with the DFA and DND (Department of National Defence) on this. But rest assured, we are ready if the situation worsens.' Cacdac said there are about 30,000 OFWs – mostly employed in caregiving, agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing – in Israel. 'It it is difficult to determine how many are in immediate danger without causing unnecessary alarm,' he added. There are approximately more than 1,000 Filipinos in Iran. DFA said there are contingency plans for a possible evacuation route through Turkmenistan. Philippine officials reminded OFWs to monitor official channels for updates and to follow local advisories. After Israel launched strikes on Iran in Friday, several countries, including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel have closed their airspaces for commercial flights. UAE-based airlines immediately announced that customers connecting through UAE with final destinations in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon would not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Filipino Times
UAE ambassador to the Philippines extends Independence Day greetings, praises Filipinos
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Mohamed Alqataam Alzaabi, extended his congratulations to Filipinos on the 127th Philippine Independence Day, calling it a symbol of courage, resilience, and a shared pursuit of peace and prosperity. In a message released during the celebration, Ambassador Alzaabi highlighted the strong ties between the UAE and the Philippines, noting the contributions of the Filipino community to the UAE's development and society. 'On behalf of the United Arab Emirates, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the government and the esteemed people of the Republic of the Philippines on the celebration of the 127th Philippine Independence Day – an enduring symbol of the nation's courage, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of peace and prosperity. On this momentous occasion, we convey warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Republic of the Philippines,' H.E. Alzaabi began in his letter. 'The UAE proudly joins in commemorating this significant occasion, reflecting the deep-rooted and enduring bonds of friendship between our two nations and peoples,' the envoy said. He also emphasized the important role of Filipinos in the UAE, recognizing their presence and work as vital to the country's social and economic fabric. 'The strong bilateral ties that unite our countries are further enriched by our dynamic cooperation and the valuable contributions of the Filipino community to the social and economic fabric of the UAE,' H.E. Alzaabi said. 'We look forward to further strengthening the cooperation that continues to flourish between our countries, rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for the future,' he added. 'Our commitment to building an even more robust partnership remains steadfast, and we are confident that the years ahead will bring greater achievements in our collaborative efforts across various fields.' Ambassador Alzaabi expressed confidence that the bilateral partnership will continue to grow in the coming years, and gave special mention to Filipinos living in the UAE for their continued contributions and excellence.
