The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) conducted a pre-departure orientation seminar (PDOS) for the spouses of foreign service personnel at the Carlos P. Romulo School of Diplomacy on 23 April 2018. Eight participants who are spouses of personnel from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of National Defense (DND), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) attended the seminar.

The one-day PDOS aimed to prepare the spouses of foreign service personnel for their new environment abroad and covered topics on preparation, arrangement upon arrival at Post, financial literacy, personal and family security, the role of spouses, protocol and social graces, and immunities and privileges.

Mr. Maurice A. Tiempo, Director of the Benefits and Welfare Division of the Human Resource Management Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, discussed the preparation procedures and financial tips that the spouses may need when they arrive at Post. Meanwhile, Mrs. Rose Marie B. Villamor of The Beacon School talked about the roles of spouses of foreign service personnel, basic protocol and social graces, and the different ways to improve professional image, which are useful for diplomatic events and gatherings.