JAPANESE Lawyers International Solidarity (JALISA) in partnership with Migrante Central Visayas, Migrante International, Migrante Japan and National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) conducted the first day of the Japan Family Reunification Project (JFRP).
The aim of JFRP is to provide free consultation, screening and legal assistance to the Japanese-Filipino Children (JFC) who lost contact with their Japanese fathers.
From the research conducted by Japan Bar Association, there are about 100,000 Japanese-Filipino children in the Philippines and lost their connection with their Japanese fathers. This is also the reason why JALISA with the help of MIGRANTE-Japan launched the JFRP.
The two-day event started today, April 27, and will end tomorrow. Migrante Central Visayas Coordinator Connie Bragas-Regalado said that they are expecting 10 JFCs with their guardians all over Central Visayas not just Cebu on the first day of the consultation at the Migrante-Central Visayas' Office at 2nd Floor Memeles Bakeshop, Mabini St. cor. Eduardo Aboitiz St., Barangay Parian, Cebu City.
Migrante Japan Coordinator Butch Pongos said that solving the issues of the JFCs depends on the "complexity of their case." Five Japanese lawyers assisted the JFCs with their guardians on the first day.
According to Pongos, the Government of Japan plays a vital role in making the JFRP a successful project that will help the JFCs especially those who need financial support. He also stressed that the Japan Government is willing to offer help in terms of acquisition of Japanese nationality.
Migrante will continue helping and assisting the JFCs even after the two-day event with the help of their chapters in different areas nationwide. (Lora Manigos)