Overseas Filipino workers and their relatives can now text their concerns directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople announced today at his regular press conference.

Secretary Ople said Filipinos here and abroad in need of assistance from the DFA can use their cell phones to get immediate replies from DFA personnel.

SMART subscribers can access "TXTDFA" by keying in the words, "TXTDFA" or "DFA" and sending them to 287. Globe subscribers will soon be given a number to use to avail of the same service.

Through "TXTDFA", the public can seek assistance for distressed Filipinos overseas, secure information about passport requirements and get the addresses and telephone numbers of Philippine Embassies abroad and foreign embassies based in the Philippines.

Persons with information about passport fixing syndicates are encouraged to share this information with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

"Filipinos can also give the names and cell phones of their relatives abroad in case of emergency so that the DFA can ascertain their safety particularly in times of catastrophe," Secretary Ople said.

A similar agreement will be signed between Globe and DFA in the coming weeks. END.