In times of distress, emergencies, or legal troubles, Filipinos abroad need all the help they can get. As foreigners living in another country, however, it might be difficult to get the support they need. Fortunately, the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) section was created.
The ATN is a unit that provides medical assistance, legal assistance, repatriation assistance, and other types of help for Filipinos facing difficulties abroad. The ATN is usually based in Philippine diplomatic missions such as embassies and consulates. In Taiwan, the ATN section is managed by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), in coordination with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO).
All About the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Section
Based on the official website of MECO, the ATN section aims to provide essential support to Filipinos in Taiwan, particularly those who are experiencing discrimination, injury, injustice, deprivation of liberty, and other types of oppression.
Functions of ATN Section
The ATN section provides assistance in the following cases:
- Immigration Assistance. The section assists Filipinos with immigration-related matters such as illegal recruitment and overstaying.
- Legal Assistance. The ATN provides legal assistance, coordinates with legal authorities, and represents Filipinos in court.
- Welfare and Repatriation. The section assists with location of missing individuals, death-related cases, and repatriation.
- Police and Prison Matters. The ATN assists with police-related matters, monitors cases, and visits detainees.
- Coordination. The section works together with other government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other entities to provide extensive assistance to Filipinos.
MECO-ATN Contact Information
Notably, the MECO-ATN section provides assistance to non-OFWs in Taiwan. These include tourists, students, and new immigrants in the country. To get help from MECO-ATN, non-OFWs can contact the following:
Email address: ATN@meco.org.tw
24/7 Emergency Hotline: 02-2658-8550
Telephone (landline):
-
- MECO-ATN Taipei: 02-2658-9962 / 02-2658-9963 / 02-2658-8825 Ext Nos: 703, 705, 706, 804
- MECO-ATN Taichung: 04-2322-8835 to 26
- MECO-ATN Kaohsiung: 07-398-5935
NOTE: Keep in mind that the above telephone (landline) numbers are available during office hours only (Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm). Outside these hours, you can contact MECO’s 24/7 Emergency Hotline.
MWO Contact Information
Meanwhile, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11641, cases involving OFWs are managed by the MWO, which is the overseas operating arm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). In Taiwan, MWO is managed by MECO through its main office in Taipei, as well as extension offices in Taichung and Kaohsiung.
To get help from MWO, OFWs can contact the following:
MWO Taipei
- Assistance to Nationals (cases): 02-2658-8560 / 02-2658-8825 ext. 731 / mwotaipeiatn@gmail.com
- OWWA-Welfare Cases/Trainings: 02-2658-8299 / taipei@owwa.gov.ph
- Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC): 02-2658-9210 / ofwpasstaipei1@gmail.com
- Job Hiring Related Concerns: 02-2658-9210 / 02-2658-9211 / mwo_taipei@dmw.gov.ph
- Emergency Hotline Number: 0932-218-057
MWO Taichung
- Assistance to Nationals (cases): 0966-537-732 / 04-2322-8836
- OWWA-Welfare Cases/Trainings: (04)2322-8836 ext. 15 / taichung@owwa.gov.ph
- Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC): (04)2322-8836 ext. 14
- Job Hiring Related Concerns: (OEC): (04)2322-8836 ext. 14 / mwo_taichung@dmw.gov.ph
- Emergency Hotline Number: 0977-537-732
MWO Kaohsiung
- Assistance to Nationals (cases): 0911-052-905 ext. 14
- OWWA-Welfare Cases/Trainings: (07)3982475 / (07)3987078 ext. 10, 11, 12
- Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC): (07)3987078 / (07)3982475 ext. 14
- Job Hiring Related Concerns: (07)3982475 ext. 13, 20 / mwo_kaohsiung@dmw.gov.ph
- Emergency Hotline Number: 0911-052-905
Once again, please take note that non-OFW cases are managed by MECO-ATN, whereas OFW cases are handled by MWO. By getting in touch with these offices, Filipinos in Taiwan can expect to receive the assistance and services they need.
Aside from MECO and MWO, there’s another agency that helps and protects Filipinos abroad: the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Check out this article for more information about the different types of benefits provided by OWWA.