Established on 16 June 1980 through Batas Pambansa 79, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is an agency of the Philippine Government under the Office of the President tasked to promote and uphold the interests, rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos and strengthen their ties with the Motherland.
The evolution of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas can be traced over a series of policy pronouncements. Presidential Decree No. 442 (Labor Code of the Philippines), which was passed in 1974, created the Overseas Employment Development Board in order to set up a systematic program for the overseas employment of Filipino workers, as well as to register and monitor emigrants leaving for various countries. The following years were characterized by a steady increase in migration, thus making it necessary to establish an independent unit which would constitute a local support network solely for Filipino emigrants. In June 1978, Presidential Decree No. 1412 was passed the Office of Emigrant Affairs (OEA). The decree specifically identified Filipino emigrants as the recipients of its services.
In June 1980, Batas Pambansa Blg. 79 was enacted to strengthen the government’s policy on the promotion of migrant welfare and interest. It created the Commission on Filipinos Overseas which replaced OEA but retained and further expanded its mandate.
The CFO 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.
Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, mandates the CFO to perform the following functions:
- Provide assistance to the President and the Congress of the Philippines in the formulation of policies and measures concerning or affecting Filipinos overseas;
- Develop and implement programmes to promote the interest and well-being of Filipinos overseas;
- Serve as a forum for preserving and enhancing the social, economic and cultural ties of Filipinos overseas with the motherland; and
- Liaise on behalf of Filipinos overseas with appropriate government and private agencies in the transaction of business and similar ventures in the Philippines.
Under Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, the primary clientele of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas are:
- Filipino permanent migrants or permanent residents abroad
- Filipinos overseas who have become naturalized citizens of other countries or dual citizens
- Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals leaving the country
- Descendants of Filipinos overseas, as defined in Batas Pambansa Blg. 79
- Filipino youth overseas
- Exchange Visitor Program participants
- Filipino Au Pair participants
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas envisions a community of well-respected and proudly competitive Filipinos overseas who contribute significantly to the productivity and well-being of the countries where they reside or work while maintaining strong political, economic and cultural ties with the Philippines.
BISYON
Hangad ng Komisyon sa mga Filipino sa Ibayong Dagat (CFO) ang isang komunidad ng mga iginagalang at mahuhusay na Filipino sa ibayong dagat na makabuluhang nag-aambag sa pagiging produktibo at kapakanan ng mga bansang kanilang tinitirahan o pinagtatrabahuhan, habang nananatili ang matibay na ugnayang pampolitika, pangkabuhayan, at pangkalinangan sa Pilipinas.
MISSION
To be the Philippines’ premier institution in promoting policies, programs, and projects with Migration and Development as a framework for the strengthening and empowerment of the community of Filipinos overseas.
MISYON
Maging pangunahing institusyon ng Pilipinas sa pagtataguyod ng mga patakaran, programa at proyektong gamit ang Pangingibang-bansa at Kaunlaran bilang balangkas para sa pagpapatibay at pagpapalakas ng mga komunidad ng mga Filipino sa ibayong dagat.
CFO QUALITY POLICY STATEMENT
We in the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), a government agency responsible for upholding the interests, rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos and strengthening their ties with the Philippines, commit to effectively and efficiently deliver gender-responsive policies, programs and services for the well-being and empowerment of the community of Filipinos overseas.
In pursuit of this commitment, we shall:
Capacitate our people through continuous professional development anchored on social responsibility;
Formulate policies and facilitate quality and citizen-centric programs and services that exceed expectations of the public we serve; and
Optimize the benefits of migration with overseas Filipinos as development partners of the Philippines and their host countries while addressing the social costs.
With the commitment to uphold the principles of good governance and highest standards of excellence, we adhere to comply and continuously improve our quality management system and other legal requirements.
“Kalidad na serbisyo para sa mamamayan, abot sa labas ng bayan”.
PAHAYAG NG PATAKARAN SA KALIDAD NG CFO
Kami, ang Komisyon sa mga Filipino sa Ibayong Dagat (CFO), isang ahensiya ng pamahalaan na nangangalaga sa interes, karapatan at kapakanan ng mga Filipino sa ibayong dagat at pinatatatag ang kanilang ugnayan sa Pilipinas, ay nangangakong epektibo at episyenteng maghahatid ng mga patakaran, programa at serbisyo para sa kapakanan at pagpapalakas ng komunidad ng mga Filipino sa ibayong dagat.
Sa pagsasagawa ng pangakong ito:
Tutulungan naming magkaroon ng kakayahan ang mga kawani sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pagpapaunlad pampropesyon na nakabatay sa mga pananagutang panlipunan;
Bubuo kami ng mga patakaran at tutulong sa magagandang programa at serbisyo para sa mga mamamayan na higit sa kanilang inaasahan;
Lubusin ang mga benepisyo ng pangingibang-bansa na katuwang ang mga Filipino sa ibang bansa tungo sa pag-unlad ng Filipinas at ng bansang kanilang tinitirahan at pinagtatrabahuhan, habang tinutugunan ang negatibong epekto nito sa lipunan.
Sa pangako na itaguyod ang mga prinsipyo ng mahusay na pamamahala at pinakamataas na pamantayan ng kahusayan, aming susundin at patuloy na pagbubutihin ang aming Quality Management System at iba pang kahingiang pambatas.
“Kalidad na serbisyo para sa mamamayan, abot sa labas ng bayan”.
10-POINT GOALS OF THE COMMISSION
A. Policy Advocacy
1. To advocate for coherent, coordinated and clear development policies to be mainstreamed in the policy-making process of government: on international migration, its cost-benefit implications and the need for both national and local governments to maximize migration’s gains while minimizing its socio-economic costs, that while international migration is a reality, government must create an environment that would make migration an option rather than a matter of necessity and that the government’s primary responsibility remains focused on sustainable, integrated, equitable, nation-wide development taking into consideration the country’s economic, political and social structural problems and issues especially in relation to employment, poverty alleviation, equitable distribution of wealth and the benefit of development and improvement of all its citizens’ quality of life.
2. To support and strengthen a favorable rights-based policy environment for the promotion and protection of rights, welfare and status of overseas Filipinos; to assist in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs relevant to their rights, welfare and status.
B. Socio-economic Development
3. To develop and implement, in coordination with and with the support of other government agencies, a streamlined and facilitative entry and directional process for “development assistance” in the form of resources, knowledge, skills and technology from Filipinos overseas, that will be strategic and responsive to existing development issues and needs of the country and will optimize the assistance’s development potentials.
4. To provide mechanisms for various stakeholders to coordinate, forge partnerships, upscale and leverage diaspora funds (e.g. remittances and savings) and investments, broaden donors’ and investors’ base and replicate best practices especially in financial literacy, microfinance and social enterprises, in order to make these funds more effective tools for the country’s development and economic growth.
C. Integration and Reintegration
5. To assist in the integration of migrating Filipinos in their host countries by educating them on the realities of international migration, preparing them to meet the practical, cultural and psychological challenges attendant to migration and providing them other services as may be developed and needed, mindful of the social costs of migration to the overseas Filipinos themselves (especially for the women who are most vulnerable to abuse, discrimination and exploitation), to the families (especially the children) they have left behind and to their local communities.
6. To assist in the productive and seamless re-integration of returning overseas Filipinos and their families in the country, recommending policies, programs and measures to transform brain drain to brain gain, to enhance the returnees’ earning capabilities and for better incentives’ package for overseas Filipinos to return, to retire and to invest.
D. Culture and Education
7. To ensure that Filipinos overseas remain rooted in their Filipino culture by developing, implementing, promoting and coordinating with other institutions, global awareness and appreciation of Filipino language, culture and heritage.
E. Institutional development and organizational strengthening
8. To promote the leading role of CFO on the formulation of policies and in addressing key issues on migration and development
9. To improve and enhance CFO’s institutional capabilities for lobbying and advocacy for policy-setting, formulation and reform; in coordinating and building consensus with all migration-related government agencies on issues/policies/programs of major concern and critical to overseas Filipinos; and mobilizing stakeholders in the migration and development sector, especially for regular multi-stakeholder consultations and collaboration.
10. To provide accurate, timely and comprehensive data on international migration of Filipinos through linkages with government agencies and other stakeholders essential for policy formulation and protection of overseas Filipinos.
The evolution of the CFO can be traced over a series of policy pronouncements.
Presidential Decree No. 442 (Labor Code of the Philippines), which was passed in 1974, created the Overseas Employment Development Board in order to set up a systematic program for the overseas employment of Filipino workers, as well as to register and monitor emigrants leaving for various countries. The following years were characterized by a steady increase in migration, thus making it necessary to establish an independent unit which would constitute a local support network solely for Filipino emigrants. In June 1978, Presidential Decree No. 1412 was passed creating the Office of Emigrant Affairs (OEA) under the Department of Labor and Employment. The decree specifically identified Filipino emigrants as the recipients of its services. The OEA was established in order to provide services specifically to Filipino emigrants. In June 1980, Batas Pambansa Blg. 79 was enacted to strengthen the government’s policy on the promotion of migrant welfare and interest. It created the Commission on Filipinos Overseas which replaced OEA but retained and further expanded its mandate. Pursuant to the provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, the CFO is tasked to perform the following functions: • Provide advice and assistance to the President of the Philippines and the Congress in the formulation of policies and measures affecting Filipinos overseas; Other Laws Relevant to the CFO Mandate Executive Order No. 728, issued on 02 March 1981, retaining the CFO under the Office of the President as a critical agency, designating the members of the Commission and providing the organizational guidelines of the secretariat of the Commission. Executive Order No. 490, issued on 26 November 1991, transferring the CFO from Office of the President to the DFA. Executive Order No. 498, issued on 19 December 1991, institutionalizing the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. Administrative Order No. 182, issued on 06 April 1995, establishing the Assistance-to-Nationals Task Force. CFO serves as a member and the Secretariat to the Task Force and chairs two of its Technical Working Groups, the Communication and Advocacy Technical Working Group and the Policy, Program and Research Technical Working Group. Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Act, enacted on 07 June 1995, designating the CFO as a member of the Committee on the Shared Government Information System. The CFO, as the Secretariat to the ATN Task Force, coordinates the various activities related to the establishment of the Shared Government Information System. Presidential Memorandum Order No. 357, issued on 2 April 1996, creating the Crisis Management and Security Committee, and designating the CFO as member and secretariat thereof. The CFO drafted the Crisis Management and Security Manual which serves as the basis and provides the parameters for the formulation of contingency plans for crisis situations by Philippine Embassies and Consulates overseas. As secretariat, the CFO monitors the compliance by the Philippine posts with the provisions of the CMSM and coordinates inter-agency effort at establishing crisis and security arrangements in times of crisis facing overseas Filipinos in massive proportion. Executive Order No. 346, issued on 14 June 1996, redefining the structure and functional thrusts of the CFO and providing operational guidelines therefor. The CFO thrusts and functions, as redefined by E.O. 346 call for, among others, the following: • A more pronounced and direct involvement of CFO in the economic diplomacy (Administrative Order No. 91) thrust of the government by “harnessing the fullest potentials of overseas Filipinos as partners in development efforts of the country”. The E.O. further provides that CFO shall establish the necessary programs to promote and support the economic diplomacy efforts of the government among overseas Filipino communities. • Establishment by CFO of appropriate mechanisms to ensure the effective coordination of the Assistance-to-Nationals Program of the Philippine Government. • Establishment of CFO Extension offices in major exit points of departing Filipino emigrants. Republic Act No. 8239, or the Philippine Passport Act enacted on 22 November 1996 mandating all Filipinos going abroad as fiancé(e)s, spouses or other partners of foreign nationals to attend the CFO’s guidance and counseling session in order to secure the Guidance and Counseling Certificate (GCC) and the CFO sticker. The CFO certificate is needed to renew or apply for a new passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs (per Department of Foreign Affairs Order Nos. 11-97 Implementing Rules and Regulations for Republic Act 8239, “Philippine Passport Act” and 28-94). Executive Order No. 252, issued on 05 May 2000, establishing the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas, Defining its Composition, Structure, and Functions. Executive Order No. 343, issued on 05 August 2004, transferring CFO from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Office of the President. Executive Order No. 373, issued on 18 October 2004, reorganizing the Composition of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas under the Office of the President (October 18, 2004), appointing a permanent Chairperson. Administrative Order No. 202, issued on 10 October 2007, creating an Inter-Agency Committee for the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day in the Philippines, with CFO as Co-Chair. Republic Act No. 9208 as amended by Republic Act No. 10364, enacted on 06 February 2013 to Eliminate Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms for the Protection and Support of Trafficked Persons, Providing Penalties for Its Violations and for Other Purposes. The CFO is mandated to: • Conduct pre-departure counseling services for Filipinos in intermarriages. It shall develop a system for accreditation of NGOs that may be mobilized for purposes of conducting pre-departure counseling services for Filipinos in intermarriages. It shall ensure that the counselors have the minimum qualifications and training of guidance counselors as provided by law. Republic Act No. 10906, enacted on 21 July 2016 expanded the scope of RA 6955 or the Anti-Mail Order act of 1989 which only covers Filipino women. To ensure the prevention, protection, and rehabilitation for victims of mail-order spouse scheme, the law mandates CFO, among other agencies, to conduct constant monitoring and formulation of policies pertinent to the scheme, and mandatory provision of temporary shelter, free legal assistance, case management, psychological support, and other intervention programs for the victims. Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 enacted on 23 June 2016, honors Filipino centenarians by providing incentives and additional benefits. The law grants all 100 year old Filipinos, whether living in the country or abroad, PhP 100,000.00 as a birthday gift and a letter of felicitation from the President. It directs CFO to formulate guidelines for availment by overseas Filipino centenarians in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs. 29-Feb-1996 Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 8042 Implementing the Migrant Workers Act of 1995 as Amended by R.A. No. 8042
• Formulate, in coordination with agencies concerned, an integrated program for the promotion of the welfare of Filipinos overseas for implementation by suitable existing agencies;
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of such an integrated program;
• Initiate and directly undertake the implementation of special projects and programs, whenever necessary, to promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas with respect to their interests and activities in the Philippines;
• Serve as a forum for preserving and enhancing the social, economic and cultural ties of Filipinos overseas with their motherland;
• Provide liaison services to Filipinos overseas with appropriate government and private agencies in the transaction of business and similar ventures in the Philippines;
• Promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of BP 79;
• Call upon any agency of the Government, including government owned or controlled corporations, to render whatever assistance is needed in the pursuance of the objectives of this Act; and
• Perform such other related functions as may be directed by the President or assigned by law.
Administrative Order No. 242, issued on 17 January 1996, establishing the Exchange Visitors Program Committee (EVP Committee) and designating the CFO as a member and Secretariat thereof. The EVP Committee is tasked to administer the agreement between the Governments of the Philippines and the United States covering the conduct of educational, scientific, and technological exchange program. Among the specific responsibilities of CFO as secretariat include the processing of applications for need of training certificates and no objection statements, establishment of linkages with institutions in the U.S. to provide educational and training opportunities to Filipino professionals, conduct of pre-departure and on-site orientation and reintegration seminars for the participants, monitoring the status of the trainees and participants to the program, establishment of a management information system for the program, and establishment of incentive programs for the returning participants, among others.
NO.
1
1-May-1974
Presidential Decree No. 442
Creating the Overseas Employment Development Board in order to set up a systematic program for the overseas employment of Filipino workers, as well as to register and monitor emigrants leaving for various countries
2
9-Jun-1978
Presidential Decree No. 1412
Creating the Office of Emigrant Affairs (OEA) under the Department of Labor and Employment
3
16-Jun-1980
Batas Pambansa Bilang 79
An Act Creating the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and for Other Purposes
4
27-Jul-1981
Executive Order No. 708
Reorganizing the Office of the Presiding and creating the Office of the Prime Minister pursuant to the 1981 Amendments to the Constitution
5
12-Dec-1981
Executive Order No. 728
Retaining the Commission on Filipinos Overseas Under the Office of the President as a critical agency, designationg the members of the Commission and providing for the organizational guidelines of the secretariat of the commission
6
2-Mar-1984
Executive Order No. 938
Establishing the Overseas Offices of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas Pursuant to Section 4 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 79
7
21-Jun-1988
Proclamation No. 276
Declaring December as Month of Overseas Filipinos and the same month of every year thereafter
8
13-Jun-1990
Republic Act No. 6955
Declaring unlawful the practice of matching Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals on a mail- order basis and other similar practices, including the advertisement, publication, printing or distribution of brochures, fliers and other propaganda materials in furtherance thereof and providing penalty therefore
9
26-Nov-1991
Executive Order No. 490
Transferring the CFO from Office of the President to the DFA
10
19-Dec-1991
Executive Order No. 498
Institutionalizing the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas
11
6-Apr-1995
Administrative Order No. 182
Establishing the Assistance-to-Nationals Task Force. CFO serves as a member and the Secretariat to the Task Force and chairs two of its Technical Working Groups, the Communication and Advocacy Technical Working Group and the Policy, Program and Research Technical Working Group
12
7-Jun-1995
Republic Act No. 8042
Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as Amended by Republic Act No. 10022
13
17-Jan-1996
Administrative Order No. 242
Establishing the Exchange Visitors Program Committee (EVP Committee) and designating the CFO as a member and Secretariat
14
2-Apr-1996
Presidential Memorandum Order No. 357
Creating the Crisis Management and Security Committee, and designating the CFO as member and secretariat
15
14-Jun-1996
Executive Order No. 346
Redefining the structure and functional thrusts of the CFO and providing operational guidelines therefor, amending E.O. 728 and E.O. 938
16
22-Nov-1996
Republic Act No. 8239
The Philippine Passport Act of 1996, a provision of which mandates all Filipinos going abroad as fiancé(e)s, spouses or other partners of foreign nationals to attend the CFO’s guidance and counseling session in order to secure the Guidance and Counseling Certificate (GCC) and the CFO sticker
17
20-Jan-2000
Executive Order No. 203
Establishing an Inter-agency Committee on the Shared Government Information System for Migration
18
23-Mar-2000
Executive Order No. 220
Creating and Executive Council to suppress trafficking in persons, particularly women and children
19
5-May-2000
Executive Order No. 252
Establishing the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas, Defining its Composition, Structure, and Functions
20
13-February-2003
Republic Act No. 9189
Known as the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003. It provides for a system of overseas voting by qualified citizens abroad.
21
26-May-2003
Republic Act No. 9208
Known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, instituting Policies to Eliminate Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms for the Protection and Support of Trafficked Persons, Providing Penalties for Its Violations, and for Other Purposes
22
29-Aug-2003
Republic Act No. 9225
Making the Citizenship of Philippine Citizens Who Acquire Foreign Citizenship Permanent. Amending for the Purpose Commonwealth Act. No. 63, as Amended and for Other Purposes
23
5-Aug-2004
Executive Order No. 343
Transferring the Commission on Filipinos Overseas from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Office of the President
Reorganizing the Composition of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas under the Office of the President, appointing a permanent Chairperson
24
18-Oct-2004
Executive Order No. 373
25
23-Aug-2005
Executive Order No. 457
Designating the Commission on Filipinos Overseas as the lead agency for the commemoration of the Centennial of Filipino Migration to Hawaii
26
31-Jul-2006
Executive Order No. 550
Creating a Presidential Task Force to address concerns arising from the conduct of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Nurses in the Philippines
27
10-Oct-2007
Administrative Order No. 202
Creating an Inter-agency Committee for the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day in the Philippines
28
23-Oct-2008
Executive Order No. 759
Creating Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment
29
8-Mar-2010
Republic Act No. 10022
Amending Republic Act No. 8042 Otherwise Known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, As Amended, Further Improving the Standard of Protection and Promotion of the Welfare of Migrant Workers, Their Families and Overseas Filipinos in Distress, and for Other Purpose
30
26-Mar-2010
Republic Act No. 10066
Known as the Heritage Law, mandating the creation of Sentro Rizal community cultural centers to promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resource as well as artisctic creations and to ensure equal access to cultural opportunities through the educational system, public or private cultural entities
1-Jul-2010
Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 10022
Implementing the R.A. No. 10022
31
29-Apr-2011
Executive Order No. 41
Reactivating the Presidential Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment Created under E.O. No. 759
29-Mar-2012
Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 10066
Implementing the R.A. No. 10066 known as Heritage Law
32
6-Feb-2013
Republic Act No. 10364
Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms for the Protection and Support of Trafficked Persons, Providing Penalties for Its Violations and for Other Purposes
33
27-May-2013
Republic Act No. 10590
Amending Republic Act No. 9189, Entitled An Act Providing for a System of Overseas Absentee Voting by Qualified Citizens of the Philippines Abroad, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for other Purposes
34
11-Dec-2013
Republic Act No. 10625
Reorganizing the Philippine Statistical System, Repealing for the Purpose Executive Order No. 121, Entitled Reorganizing and Strengthening the Philippine Statistical System and For Other Purposes
11-Dec-2013
Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 10625
Implementing the R.A. No. 10625 known as the Philippines Statistical Act of 2013
35
23-Dec-2014
Memorandum Order No. 3
Establishing the Interagency Committee on Migration Statistics
36
15-Jun-2015
Memorandum Circular No. 036
Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking Revised Guidelines on Departure Formalities of International- Bound Passengers
37
7-Mar-2016
Administrative Order No. 0007
National Policy on the Health of Migrants and Overseas Filipinos
38
23-Jun-2016
Republic Act No. 10868
Honoring and Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians and for other Purposes
39
21-Jul-2016
Republic Act No. 10906
Providing stronger measures against unlawful practices, businesses, and schemes of matching and offering Filipinos to foreign nationals for purposes of marriage or common law partnership, repealing for the purpose R.A. no. 6955
40
23-Jul-2016
Executive Order No. 2
Operationalizing in the Executive Branch the People’s Constitutional Right to Information and the State Policies to Full Public Disclosure and Transparency in the Public Service and Providing Guidelines Therefore
NO.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
1
7-Mar-2016
Administrative Order No. 0007
National Policy on the Health of Migrants and Overseas Filipinos
2
10-Oct-2007
Administrative Order No. 202
Creating an Inter-agency Committee for the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day in the Philippines
3
17-Jan-1996
Administrative Order No. 242
Establishing the Exchange Visitors Program Committee (EVP Committee) and designating the CFO as a member and Secretariat
4
6-Apr-1995
Administrative Order No. 182
Establishing the Assistance-to-Nationals Task Force. CFO serves as a member and the Secretariat to the Task Force and chairs two of its Technical Working Groups, the Communication and Advocacy Technical Working Group and the Policy, Program and Research Technical Working Group
BATAS PAMBANSA
5
16-Jun-1980
Batas Pambansa Bilang 79
An Act Creating the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and for Other Purposes
EXECUTIVE ORDER
6
23-Jul-2016
Executive Order No. 2
Operationalizing in the Executive Branch the People’s Constitutional Right to Information and the State Policies to Full Public Disclosure and Transparency in the Public Service and Providing Guidelines Therefor
7
29-Apr-2011
Executive Order No. 41
Reactivating the Presidential Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment Created under E.O. No. 759
8
23-Oct-2008
Executive Order No. 759
Creating Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment
9
31-Jul-2006
Executive Order No. 550
Creating a Presidential Task Force to address concerns arising from the conduct of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Nurses in the Philippines
10
23-Aug-2005
Executive Order No. 457
Designating the Commission on Filipinos Overseas as the lead agency for the commemoration of the Centennial of Filipino Migration to Hawaii
11
18-Oct-2004
Executive Order No. 373
Reorganizing the Composition of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas under the Office of the President, appointing a permanent Chairperson
12
5-Aug-2004
Executive Order No. 343
Transferring the Commission on Filipinos Overseas from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Office of the President
13
5-May-2000
Executive Order No. 252
Establishing the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas, Defining its Composition, Structure, and Functions
14
23-Mar-2000
Executive Order No. 220
Creating and Executive Council to suppress trafficking in persons, particularly women and children
15
20-Jan-2000
Executive Order No. 203
Establishing an Inter-agency Committee on the Shared Government Information System for Migration
16
14-Jun-1996
Executive Order No. 346
Redefining the structure and functional thrusts of the CFO and providing operational guidelines therefor, amending E.O. 728 and E.O. 938
17
19-Dec-1991
Executive Order No. 498
Institutionalizing the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas
18
26-Nov-1991
Executive Order No. 490
Transferring the CFO from Office of the President to the DFA
19
2-Mar-1984
Executive Order No. 938
Establishing the Overseas Offices of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas Pursuant to Section 4 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 79
20
12-Dec-1981
Executive Order No. 728
Retaining the Commission on Filipinos Overseas Under the Office of the President as a critical agency, designating the members of the Commission and providing for the organizational guidelines of the secretariat of the commission
21
27-Jul-1981
Executive Order No. 708
Reorganizing the Office of the Presiding and creating the Office of the Prime Minister pursuant to the 1981 Amendments to the Constitution
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
22
15-Jun-2015
Memorandum Circular No. 036
Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking Revised Guidelines on Departure Formalities of International- Bound Passengers
MEMORANDUM ORDER
23
23-Dec-2014
Memorandum Order No. 3
Establishing the Interagency Committee on Migration Statistics
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE
24
9-Jun-1978
Presidential Decree No. 1412
Creating the Office of Emigrant Affairs (OEA) under the Department of Labor and Employment
25
1-May-1974
Presidential Decree No. 442
Creating the Overseas Employment Development Board in order to set up a systematic program for the overseas employment of Filipino workers, as well as to register and monitor emigrants leaving for various countries
PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM ORDER
26
2-Apr-1996
Presidential Memorandum Order No. 357
Creating the Crisis Management and Security Committee, and designating the CFO as member and secretariat
PROCLAMATION
27
21-Jun-1988
Proclamation No. 276
Declaring December as Month of Overseas Filipinos and the same month of every year thereafter
REPUBLIC ACT
28
21-Jul-2016
Republic Act No. 10906
Providing stronger measures against unlawful practices, businesses, and schemes of matching and offering Filipinos to foreign nationals for purposes of marriage or common law partnership, repealing for the purpose R.A. no. 6955
29
23-Jun-2016
Republic Act No. 10868
Honoring and Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians and for other Purposes
30
11-Dec-2013
Republic Act No. 10625
Reorganizing the Philippine Statistical System, Repealing for the Purpose Executive Order No. 121, Entitled Reorganizing and Strengthening the Philippine Statistical System and For Other Purposes
11-Dec-2013
Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 10625
Implementing the R.A. No. 10625 known as the Philippines Statistical Act of 2013
31
27-May-2013
Republic Act No. 10590
Amending Republic Act No. 9189, Entitled An Act Providing for a System of Overseas Absentee Voting by Qualified Citizens of the Philippines Abroad, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for other Purposes
32
6-Feb-2013
Republic Act No. 10364
Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms for the Protection and Support of Trafficked Persons, Providing Penalties for Its Violations and for Other Purposes
33
26-Mar-2010
Republic Act No. 10066
Known as the Heritage Law, mandating the creation of Sentro Rizal community cultural centers to promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resource as well as artisctic creations and to ensure equal access to cultural opportunities through the educational system, public or private cultural entities
29-Mar-2012
Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 10066
Implementing the R.A. No. 10066 known as Heritage Law
34
8-Mar-2010
Republic Act No. 10022
Amending Republic Act No. 8042 Otherwise Known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, As Amended, Further Improving the Standard of Protection and Promotion of the Welfare of Migrant Workers, Their Families and Overseas Filipinos in Distress, and for Other Purpose
1-Jul-2010
Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 10022
Implementing the R.A. No. 10022
35
29-Aug-2003
Republic Act No. 9225
Making the Citizenship of Philippine Citizens Who Acquire Foreign Citizenship Permanent. Amending for the Purpose Commonwealth Act. No. 63, as Amended and for Other Purposes
36
26-May-2003
Republic Act No. 9208
Known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, instituting Policies to Eliminate Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms for the Protection and Support of Trafficked Persons, Providing Penalties for Its Violations, and for Other Purposes
37
13-Feb-2003
Republic Act No. 9189
Known as the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003. It provides for a system of overseas voting by qualified citizens abroad.
38
22-Nov-1996
Republic Act No. 8239
The Philippine Passport Act of 1996, a provision of which mandates all Filipinos going abroad as fiancé(e)s, spouses or other partners of foreign nationals to attend the CFO’s guidance and counseling session in order to secure the Guidance and Counseling Certificate (GCC) and the CFO sticker
39
7-Jun-1995
Republic Act No. 8042
Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as Amended by Republic Act No. 10022
40
13-Jun-1990
Republic Act No. 6955
Declaring unlawful the practice of matching Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals on a mail- order basis and other similar practices, including the advertisement, publication, printing or distribution of brochures, fliers and other propaganda materials in furtherance thereof and providing penalty therefore