MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is strongly considering creating a welfare assistance desk exclusively for the Filipino diaspora in Japan, Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II said. This would establish localized support desks for children with foreign roots, Ang said as he cited the two-day outreach in the Kansai region by a CFO team. The team led a series of dialogues which brought to light several pressing issues affecting Filipino migrants, including cases of domestic violence, custody battles, visa and legal status challenges, labor disputes, and academic pressures on students, the CFO chief said. The agency reiterated that the initiative, which included a dialogue with the Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization (SIA) and vital home visits in Kyoto, reflects the CFO’s mission to deepen its engagement with overseas Filipinos and aligns with Ang’s vision for a more responsive and focused service delivery model. The efforts directly address its mandate to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties between the homeland and its migrant communities, the commission said in a statement. The CFO team, led by Benilda Pereyra, met with SIA Managing Director Tetsuya Umemura and Deputy Secretary General Nobuko Mitsuda in Otsu City, Shiga, and discussed the critical challenges faced by the prefecture’s estimated 3,300 Filipino migrants. SIA officials detailed their key programs, which include consultation desks for foreign residents, Japanese language instruction, and dedicated support for children with foreign roots. The CFO team has stressed the importance of enhanced pre-departure orientation, improved translation services, and community-based outreach supported by Filipino-speaking volunteers. The meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthened partnership between the Philippine government and local Japanese institutions to ensure migrant safety and successful integration.