11 March 2005 --  The Department of Foreign Affairs disclosed a cooperation arrangement between the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation – Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW) in providing guidance and counseling for spouses and other partners of foreign nationals.

The Department announces that beginning 4 April 2005, the counseling program of the CFO will devolve to the SMEF-COW, a non-stock, pastoral and social service organization under the administration of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.   The  SMEF-COW will conduct the guidance and counseling to Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals at their premises in Metro Manila and Cebu City while the CFO will continue to issue the guidance and counseling certificate and register the said clientele in accordance with existing requirements.

Under the DFA Department Orders No. 28-94 and 11-97, Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals are required to attend guidance and counseling program as a pre-requisite of issuance of passports.   The objective is to help the said clientele make informed decisions and prepare them for the realities of cross-cultural marriages.

After the receipt of the passport and visa, the Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals will have to register with CFO prior to their departure.   An emigrant registration sticker is affixed to the emigrant’s passport as proof of registration.

Attached are the CFO – SMEF-COW procedures for guidance and counseling registration, schedule of sessions in Manila and Cebu and addresses of SMEF-COW. END
 

Attachments : CFO – SMEF-COW procedures
 

/jay