According to the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991 (R.A. 7157) and the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (R.A. 8042), the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Section of Philippine Embassies and Consulates are tasked to protect the rights and promote the welfare of overseas Filipinos (OFs).
Previously, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) handled ATN services for all overseas Filipinos. After the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), however, the DMW managed cases for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), while the DFA focused on cases for non-OFWs.
ATN Services Provided by DFA and DMW
The ATN program of the Philippine government began in 1995, based on this DFA press release. Back then, it was spearheaded by the DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA). For almost three decades, this office provided assistance to distressed overseas Filipinos, many of which are OFWs. The office also joined anti-trafficking efforts, as part of the Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
In 2023, ATN services for OFWs “transitioned” from the DFA to the DMW. Nonetheless, the DFA would still continue to provide ATN services to overseas Filipinos who are not OFWs. These include Filipino tourists, students, immigrants, and permanent residents who are dual citizens.
Likewise, the DFA would also continue providing ATN services for OFWs in places where there are no resident Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs).
Functions of ATN Section
Basically, the main functions of the ATN Section are as folows:
- Assisting overseas Filipinos in documenting cases and endorsing them to relevant Philippine or host government agencies;
- Following up on endorsed cases and providing regular, timely updates to clients;
- Monitoring active cases until they are resolved; and
- Managing and maintaining the ATN database system.
Services Provided by ATN Section
As for specific ATN services, these include the following:
- Ascertaining the condition or whereabouts of overseas Filipinos;
- Providing assistance in locating missing Filipino national;
- Providing lawyer or counsel services;
- Providing jail visitation assistance to detained OFWs;
- Monitoring of court cases involving overseas Filipinos;
- Facilitating repatriation to the Philippines, including medical repatriation;
- Facilitating the shipment of remains or cremated remains of deceased overseas Filipinos, including the necessary documentation;
- Facilitating the shipment of personal belongings;
- Providing assistance to hospitalized, distressed, and indigent overseas Filipinos;
- Assisting overseas Filipinos facing deportation or voluntary departure with their Philippine passport or travel document applications;
- Conducting pre-departure and post-arrival orientation to Filipino marriage migrants and their children, in coordination with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and other related agencies;
- Providing assistance to victims of human trafficking and other crimes;
- Providing basic translation/interpretation assistance for overseas Filipinos in cases handled by the ATN Section; and
- Providing legal and welfare support, along with counseling and consultation services, to migrant Filipinos.
Contact Information: ATN Concerns
Below are the contact details for ATN concerns, for OFW, non-OFWs, and their next of kin/families in the Philippines.
For OFWs
- DMW 24/7 Hotlines: (+632) 8722-1144 or 8722-1155
- WhatsApp or SMS: (+63) 908-326-8344
- Email: repat@dmw@gov.ph / connect@dmw.gov.ph
For Non-OFWs
- DFA Action Center Hotline: 1348 (available within the Philippines)
- DFA-OUMWA Phone: (+632) 8834-4000 or 8834-3245
- Email: oumwa@dfa.gov.ph
NOTE: Outside the Philippines, overseas Filipinos and their families may contact the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Since 2023, the provision of ATN services has been divided between the DMW and the DFA, with the former focusing on OFW cases, and the latter on non-OFW cases. That being said, both agencies are committed to helping Filipinos in distress, wherever they may be in the world.
Aside from providing ATN services and passport services, the DFA also offers authentication services. Check out this link for more details.