Ambassador Austria: Philippine consular offices to continue to extend help to international students

Ambassador Austria: Philippine consular offices to continue to extend help to international students

Philippine Ambassador Maria Andrelita S. Austria

June 25, 2024

By Veronica C. Silva

LJI Reporter

Philippine Reporter

In view of some recent concerns from some Pinoy international students in Canada, Philippine Ambassador Maria Andrelita S. Austria, said the consular offices in Canada continue to extend help to Philippine nationals.

But while consular offices in Canada are open to help, Austria also reminded the student audience to be practical in their plans to study and stay in Canada permanently.

“The Philippine Consulate is responsible for all nationals,” said Austria, in an interview at the sidelines of an international student’s convention last May in Toronto, organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. “If they are already employed, they fall under DMW (Department of Migrant Workers). If they are tourists or international students, we take care of them.”

Earlier this year, The Philippine Reporter reported that some kababayans have been asking the Consulate in Toronto who specifically international students can approach if they have some issues. These could include information on affordable housing and help in coping with the high cost of living.

Some international students have said that though they have meticulously prepared for life in Canada, some realities in living in Canada were unexpected.

At a housing forum at the Toronto Consulate in February, Philippine officials said that there is no single Philippine agency that has oversight over international students, unlike the DMW for overseas workers.

Nevertheless, last May, Austria assured the audience of more than 160 registered international students “that the Philippine government is here to help.”

Austria said that the Philippine government has been active in advocating policies, such as recognizing Filipinos’ credentials. However, the Philippine government cannot help Filipino nationals in immigration cases, such as deportation.

She also reminded international students to be prudent in their decision to bring some family members as tourists after noting that 50% of assistance to nationals cases involve international students. She said they have heard from Filipino international students who bring their parents to help out with childcare but had asked for help for medical bills running in the thousands of dollars.

Previously, international students can bring their families, with the spouse being eligible for a work permit and children eligible for study permits. Starting 2024, only international students in the master’s and doctoral programs are allowed to bring their dependants.

Austria said the Philippine government is in a bind in having to choose who among the nationals to help financially, given the finite government resources.

“Ang pakiusap po namin, if you’re bringing them [family members] as tourists, please, please, please, please make sure you have insurance … Dahil madaming problema, concerns and demands ang overseas community natin, hindi madaling magpapondo sa Manila,” said Austria.

TPR also learned from sources that the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto has presented to some international students in Centennial College in March some ways that the Philippine government could help international students.

Foremost among this is the ongoing assistance to nationals, such as repatriation.

But also proposed in that meeting were the following:

1. that international students undergo a seminar similar to the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar, which is required for all emigrating Filipinos, and

2. an oversight inter-agency body to look into the needs of international students.

At the international student’s convention in May, TPR asked Consulate General Angelica Escalona the status of these proposals. She said these are “under study” in the Philippines because these proposals will have implications on other Filipino international students in other parts of the world.

Austria also urged the students-audience to register with the consular offices so that consular services can assist them.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs loses visibility of you when we hand you your passport. … We encourage you to please register with us [in cases of] natural disaster or assistance programs or consular outreach,” she added.

She also urged Filipino nationals with work contracts to continue their contributions to the Social Security System and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to avail of assistance.