CFO Chairperson Pays Courtesy Call on Ambassador Alfonso Ver of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi

13 February 2026
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II and ms. Rowena Jubinal of the Project Management Division paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Alfonso Ver at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where he was warmly received by the Ambassador. During their meeting, Ambassador Ver provided an overview of the current situation of Philippine Schools Overseas in Abu Dhabi. He expressed strong support for PSOs, and emphasized the growing need to establish more of them due to the demand in the country.

Sec. Ang mentioned the fruitful courtesy call meeting with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) where they are encouraging the expansion of PSOs due to the increasing Filipino population and the enrollment of children from other nationalities in PSOs.

The Ambassador highlighted the importance of ensuring that PSOs remain competitive, in particular that students qualify for admission to prestigious institutions in Abu Dhabi such as Khalifa University. He noted that the Math curriculum in some PSOs lacks the necessary credentials and that may be considered as an elective. He added that Khalifa University accepts Filipino students for college studies, provided they pass the required examinations.

Ambassador Ver also shared that many students prefer to remain in the UAE after completing their studies because the government offers generous opportunities and a high quality of life. He cited the availability of golden visas—10 year residency permits—granted under certain conditions such as proof of income and community service. He further mentioned that many Filipinos in the UAE excel in their respective fields. Among them is Ms. Mary Jane Alvero, a distinguished chemist who now owns three laboratories in the Philippines and was a 2012 PAFIOO awardee under the Pamana ng Pilipino category.

The Ambassador also raised the long-standing issue of the proliferation of online schooling, which negatively affects both students and the operations of PSOs. In response, Secretary Ang assured him that the CFO will take action and seek the intervention of the Department of Education to help the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas address the matter.

Secretary Ang also shared several CFO initiatives designed to support PSOs, including webinars on various topics such as programs and services of the Social Security System (SSS), the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), and the Philippine Stock Exchange’s Online Stock Trading Game. He also noted that the CFO has signed Memoranda of Understanding with PEAC and the Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA).

In closing, both Secretary Ang and Ambassador Ver reaffirmed their commitment to supporting PSOs. They recognized the vital role these schools play in the community and agreed on the importance of strengthening and sustaining them.