Commission on Filipinos Overseas

January 22, 2024

Dear Christopher Gerale,

Greetings!

Thank you for your request dated Jan 21, 2024 09:42:28 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.

Your request

You asked for Number of Overseas Filipinos in China.

Response to your request

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance this Office does not have the information you have requested. 

For the number of Overseas Filipino Workers, the data is with the Department of Migrant Workers (previously the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration). You may contact them at connect@dmw.gov.ph or check their website www.dmw.gov.ph. Their eFOI portal can be accessed through this link https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests?agency=POEA.

Meanwhile, data on the number of Overseas Filipino Students may be inquired with the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education. Unfortunately, the CFO does not possess a comprehensive dataset encompassing the list of Filipinos studying abroad. The eFOI portals of both agencies can be accessed through the following links
DepEd: https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests?agency=DepEd
CHED: https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests?agency=CHED

For your information and benefit, under Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, the primary clientele of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas are:

- Filipino permanent migrants or permanent residents abroad
- Filipinos overseas who have become naturalized citizens of other countries or dual citizens
- Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals leaving the country
- Descendants of Filipinos overseas, as defined in Batas Pambansa Blg. 79
- Filipino youth overseas
- Exchange Visitor Program participants
- Filipino Au Pair participants

For further assistance you may review the FAQ section of the eFOI site: https://pcoomaster08282018100000-dot-efoi-ph.appspot.com/help.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to Secretary Romulo V. Arugay at info@cfo.gov.ph. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011).

Moreover, the CFO is committed to providing quality programs and services to its clients and partners. In line with our commitment to continuous improvement, may we invite you to fill out online a brief feedback form through the link below. Your feedback is highly appreciated and will help us to improve our ability to serve the public. Thank you very much.

CFO FOI Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/eBvntKQaAdzaqUaM6

Thank you.

Respectfully,
Joanna Laguna
FOI Officer