Published : Thursday, September 27, 2012 00:00 Article Views : 112
Written by : Lee Ann Ducusin
OVERSEAS Filipino workers in Italy have asked President Benigno Aquino to look into their problems with the Philippine Embassy in Rome, complaining that this post has become unresponsive and indifferent to the concerns of OFWs.
The Filipino Alliance in Italy composed of several Filipino federations and headed by Bro. Junn Felix Landicho under Task Force OFW, overseas workers complained to the President of overcharging by the embassy in Italy which charged 60 Euros for passports instead of $60 or an overprice of 10-12 Euros amounting to P600.
Consular officials in Rome have refused to answer queries by the OFWs who have been renewing their electronic passports why the price is 60 Euros instead of 50 or even lower as compared to Germany where Philippine passports cost 45 Euros.
The DFA has issued a memo circular that the new electronic passports should only cost $60.
Another matter is the issue of the “middle name” which contradicts our cultural identity. Former Philippine Ambassador to Italy Romeo Manalo issued a “note verbale” in 2010 to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that his post would comply with Circolare 29 that restricts the use of the middle name by the Filipinos.
Filipinos in Italy have protested the removal of their middle name in their identification cards, employment contracts, drivers’ licenses, work permits and other important documents.
The Filipino Alliance in Italy is seeking an audience with Aquino to personally bring to him these problems and ask him to require the Department of Foreign Affairs to address these complaints.
The House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs headed by Rep. Walden Bello (Anakbayan) is also looking into these complaints and will require DFA officials to answer them in their next meeting in October.
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