The Duties of the Philippine Consulate: Ensuring the safety and prosperity of Filipinos abroad.

With the number of Filipinos living, or migrating, to the United States growing each year, it is unavoidable that some of our kababayans will fall prey to those who seek to take advantage of them in one way or another. Some become victims of illegal recruitment, while others are underpaid and overworked, and a few, particularly undocumented workers, suffer mistreatment at the hands of their employers. 

While such possibilities can be a scary thought, it is important for our kababayans to know that they are not alone—that their security is in good hands, and that those who shoulder the responsibility of their safety will provide them with the full support of the Philippine Government. 

This mission falls on the Philippine Embassy, the five major Philippine Consulates, and the various Honorary Consulates spread across the United States. They are the guardians of the Filipinos abroad who exist to protect the rights of our kababayans. 

But aside from protecting and serving the Filipino community, what are some of their specific duties? Where does their jurisdiction end? And more importantly to our kababayans how can they be reached in times of need?