Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Chairperson Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II received the Presidential Commendation Award from the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) during the gala night of its 47th National Convention, in recognition of his leadership in strengthening global Filipino partnerships and advancing diaspora engagement for national development.
The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) conferred its Presidential Commendation Award on Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Chairperson Dante “Klink” Ang II during the Gala Night of its 47th National Convention.
Receiving the award on Ang’s behalf were Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas honorees Lolita B. Compas, a 2002 Banaag Awardee; Victoria Navarro, a 2014 Banaag Awardee; and Dr. Leo-Felix Jurado, recipient of the 2024 Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino Award.
“I accept the distinction of being named an Honorary Member of PNAA as a personal recognition, and as a symbol of the partnership between your organization and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas,” Ang said in a video message.
He said the CFO is prepared to work with PNAA on professional exchanges, ethical recruitment discussions, research initiatives and youth mentorship.
Ang has sought to strengthen the CFO’s engagement with Filipinos permanently residing abroad and other non-resident Filipinos, expanding partnerships beyond traditional pre-departure services.
The CFO estimates that non-resident Filipinos account for about 60 percent of the country’s 10.8 million overseas Filipinos worldwide. Ang has emphasized their role not only as sources of remittances but also as partners in national development through expertise, philanthropy, investment and institutional cooperation.
Among the CFO programs supporting overseas engagement are the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino, or LINKAPIL, program; the BaLinkBayan portal; and youth initiatives such as YouLeaD.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Ang as CFO chairperson, with Cabinet rank, in October 2024. His tenure has included efforts aligned with the administration’s stated goal of making migration a choice rather than a necessity.
“Your contributions to the Philippines remain significant,” Ang told PNAA members. “Through remittances, philanthropy, knowledge transfer, medical missions, and institutional partnerships, you demonstrate concrete diaspora engagement for national development.”
The CFO, an agency under the Office of the President, was established under Batas Pambansa Blg. 79. It works primarily with Filipino permanent migrants, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, Filipino descendants overseas and participants in certain international exchange programs.
The agency is distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers, which primarily serves overseas Filipino workers and other temporary migrant workers.
The CFO’s mandate includes strengthening the political, economic and cultural ties of overseas Filipinos with the Philippines.
