Going through the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) process was supposed to be a step toward ensuring a smooth transition for my life abroad. Instead, it became one of the most frustrating and demoralizing experiences I’ve had to endure. The very system that claims to protect Filipinos ended up making my journey harder, not easier.
The CFO Process: More of an Obstacle than a Guide
The CFO seminar is designed to educate Filipinos about migration, protect them from human trafficking, and ensure they are aware of their rights in a foreign country. While the intention sounds good on paper, the way it is implemented leaves much to be desired.
From the moment I stepped into the process, it felt less like an orientation and more like an unnecessary test of patience and endurance.
A Counselor Who Made Things Harder, Not Easier
One of the worst parts of my experience was the first counselor assigned to me. Instead of making the process smoother—as should be expected under the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) guidelines for public servants—she did the exact opposite.
When I submitted my initial requirements, she asked me to write a story about how I met my husband. That seemed fair at first. But then, she kept rejecting what I wrote without giving me clear instructions. There were no specific guidelines—just vague requests to change it. Every time she responded, it came with an air of superiority, as if she was enjoying the power she held over me. It felt like she wanted me to beg for approval, like she saw herself as some kind of gatekeeper who could dictate my fate.
Unfortunately, this kind of behavior seems to be a pattern among many Philippine government employees. Instead of helping, they make things more difficult—simply because they can.
A System that Slows Everything Down
One of the first things they told me was not to book a flight until I completed the CFO seminar. At first, this sounded like logical advice, but in reality, their system is far too slow and inefficient to accommodate people who need to make timely travel arrangements.
The delays and unnecessary back-and-forths don’t just waste time—they create additional stress for those who are already dealing with the complexities of migration.
A Misguided Approach to Protecting Filipinos
The CFO claims to be a safeguard against human trafficking and scams, but their process doesn’t actually address the real problem. Instead of targeting those who are most vulnerable—people with no educational background, no travel experience, or those who struggle with understanding instructions—they put everyone through the same inefficient, rigid process.
I have traveled multiple times. I am an adult who is fully capable of making informed decisions. And yet, I was treated as if I had no idea what I was doing, lumped into the same category as those who may genuinely need guidance. This one-size-fits-all approach does not work, and it ultimately fails to solve the real issue of Filipinos being scammed abroad.
What Needs to Change
My experience with the CFO was nothing short of traumatic, but it also opened my eyes to the deep flaws in the system. Here’s what needs to change:
Train Public Servants to be More Professional
People working in the CFO should not act like power-hungry gatekeepers. Their job is to help, not to make things harder. Accountability measures should be in place for those who abuse their authority.
Streamline the Process
The CFO system needs to be faster and more efficient. There should be a clearer process for document submissions, a transparent timeline, and a better way of communicating requirements.
Tiered Seminars Based on Experience
Not all Filipinos need the same level of guidance. A first-time migrant with no travel experience should receive a more detailed seminar, while someone who has traveled extensively and is well-informed should not have to go through the same long process.
Modernize Certificate Issuance
Getting a CFO certificate should not be a slow, bureaucratic nightmare. An online or automated system for eligible applicants would make things much easier and avoid unnecessary delays.
Final Thoughts
Instead of protecting Filipinos, the current CFO system often just frustrates and delays them. My experience was exhausting and unnecessarily difficult, thanks to inefficiencies and the poor attitudes of some government workers. While I understand the intent behind the CFO program, its execution needs a serious overhaul.
To those who will go through the CFO process in the future: be prepared, be patient, and don’t let the system break you. You deserve to be treated with respect, and hopefully, one day, these unnecessary bureaucratic roadblocks will finally be removed.
Pinay Tales in Turkey 