PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

28 November 2025, SYDNEY — Philippine Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Antonio A. Morales and Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil engaged the Filipino Community in New South Wales in a Town Hall Meeting on 28 November 2025.

Hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, the third Town Hall is part of the Multi-Agency Service Mission (MASM), which brought together the Filipino community and representatives from Philippine government agencies to discuss available services and community-driven proposed projects.

In his remarks, the Ambassador thanked the Filipino community for their continued support and engagement, noting that Town Halls are now a regular initiative of the Consulates in Sydney and Melbourne to strengthen their services and programs to support Filipinos in Australia. He highlighted the contributions of Filipinos to Australia’s multicultural society and praised their civic spirit and advocacy for the welfare of overseas Filipinos.

The Town Hall featured presentations by the Pag-IBIG Fund and the Social Security System on benefits and financial services, including investment, savings, and loan programs. The Migrant Workers Office (MWO)-Canberra discussed their service offerings, including Overseas Employment Certificate processing and contract review services for Filipino workers in Australia. MWO Labor Attaché Melissa Mendizabal was pleased to share cases of overseas Filipino workers who experienced employment insecurity and were assisted by the office, noting an increasing number of OFWs being supported as awareness of the MWO’s services continues to expand.

Members of NARRA Co-operative Ltd. likewise briefed the community on Project 500, an initiative that aims to establish a center for performing and visual arts that showcase Filipino-Australian talent.

The Town Hall provided a venue for community members to raise concerns and engage directly with representatives of participating government agencies. MASM services were deployed by SSS, PAG-IBIG, and MWO during the Pasko sa Tumbalong celebration held at Tumbalong Park, Sydney, from 29-30 November 2025. END