On Saturday, 16 February 2019, Consul Mersole J. Mellejor, Acting Head of Post of the Philippine Consulate General in Milan (Milan PCG) and Mr. Hilario A. Gracia, representative, Philippine Overseas Labor Office Milan/Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration Milan (POLO/OWWA Milan), participated in the Philippine Immigration General Conference held at Benedict School in Bologna, Italy. The two officials were joined by representatives of the Questura of Bologna. The event, organized by the Federation of Filipino Associations in Bologna (FEDFAB), was intended to update leaders of Filipino community organizations comprising the federation on the programs and activities of Milan PCG and its attached agencies, notably POLO/OWWA Milan and immigration policy of the Italian government.

During the conference, Consul Mellejor reported on key achievements and initiatives of Milan PCG in 2018. He also discussed the program of the Consulate for 2019 particularly the opening of selected Sundays, overseas voting of the 2019 PHL elections and the dissemination of information to Filipinos on the services of the Consulate. For his part, Mr. Gracia gave an overview on the work of POLO/OWWA Milan. He also discussed the requirements for an overseas worker to become an OWWA member and the benefits of OWWA membership.

Representatives of the Questura of Bologna discussed the latest developments in Italian immigration policy.