Affiliation:
1. Far Eastern University
2. De La Salle University
Abstract
This exploratory study focuses on the Philippine government’s response to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress, especially those in the Middle East, using social media platforms. It examines the level of social media adoption by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in protecting Filipino nationals abroad. The popularity of social networking sites among Filipinos, including DFA officials and staff, played a vital role in influencing the institution’s move toward social media adoption. Key informant interviews were conducted with 10 officials, case officers, and staff at the DFA home office and Foreign Service Posts in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from June to July 2019. While Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be effective tools for speedy communication between the DFA and OFWs, the DFA faces several challenges such as budgetary constraints, lack of human resources with ICT skills, and verifying reports, among others. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the indispensable role of social media platforms in communicating with OFWs and in extending assistance to those in distress. Hence, the DFA may consider the formulation of an agency-wide social media strategy and collaboration with other migration authorities on social media-anchored projects.
Subject
Geography, Planning and Development,Demography
Reference23 articles.
1. Asis M (2020) MRS No. 63 - Repatriating Filipino migrant workers in the time of the pandemic. Switzerland: International Organization for Migration. Available at: https://publications.iom.int/books/mrs-no-63-repatriating-filipino-migrant-workers-time-pandemic.
2. Understanding How Overseas Filipino Workers Engage on National Issues in Pinoy OFW Facebook Page
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献