Marking a historic milestone in its 45-year history, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has concluded its first-ever comprehensive institutional assessment, unveiling a 10-year strategic roadmap designed to revolutionize the Philippines’ engagement with its global diaspora.
The study, titled “Evaluation of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and the Formulation of its 2026-2035 Strategic Roadmap,” was formally presented Tuesday at the CFO Board Room in Pasay City.
Conducted over six months in partnership with the Center for Research and Communication Foundation, Inc. (CRCFI) of the University of Asia and the Pacific, the assessment represents the first time the agency has undergone such a rigorous, data-driven self-examination since its inception.
CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II hailed the study as a turning point for the agency, calling on officials to use the findings to aggressively advance the commission’s role in diaspora governance.
“While it is important to recognize our pre-departure services as the starting point of our interaction with our constituents, this engagement should not be a one-time event,” Ang said. “It must evolve into a continued involvement and a permanent connection with the diaspora.”
Three-phase vision for 2035
The newly minted roadmap outlines a decade-long evolution for the CFO, structured into three distinct phases to ensure sustainable institutional growth:
Phase 1 which covers the first three years, focuses on policy leadership, digital transformation, and organizational restructuring.
Phase 2 which covers years 4 to 6 aims to strengthening investment channels, diaspora communities, and deeper stakeholder engagement while the last phase which runs from year 7 to 10 embeds these advancements into the permanent fabric of Philippine migration governance.
The framework, presented by CRCFI lead researcher Dr. Veronica Esposo Ramirez and Lambert Ramirez, is anchored on the concept of transnationalism.
aIt reviews the CFO’s mandate and operational capacity through the lens of the “Diaspora Lifecycle,” ensuring that services are tailored to Filipinos at every stage of their migration journey.
Strategic Re-alignment
The assessment recommends a major shift in the CFO’s organizational structure to better align with its mandate of linking overseas Filipinos to the Motherland politically, economically, and culturally. Key proposed changes include enhanced digital platforms for better connectivity and a revised mission and vision that reflects modern migration trends.
Ang urged the Commission to prioritize initiatives that deepen these connections, emphasizing that the roadmap must serve as a functional guide for all future programs, projects, and activities.
The study confirms the CFO’s commitment to transition from a regulatory and administrative body into a proactive force for national development.
By empowering the diaspora to invest and engage more deeply with the Philippines, the CFO aims to ensure that the 10 million-strong Filipino community abroad remains an integral and driving force in the country’s progress toward 2035.
About the Commission on Filipinos Overseas
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), established under Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, is dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of Filipinos permanently residing abroad. It is distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers, which primarily addresses the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and other temporary migrants.
The CFO, which is an agency under the Office of the President, works to strengthen the social, economic, and cultural ties of global Filipinos with their home country. Its primary stakeholders include Filipino permanent migrants, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, individuals under the Exchange Visitor Program, au pair participants bound for Europe, and Filipino descendants overseas.
For more information, please contact Atty. Jan Karlo Magracia of the Office of the Secretary at jkmagracia@cfo.gov.ph.CFO maps out 10-year plan to strengthen ties with Filipinos abroad
