The Foreign Service Institute’s (FSI’s) Functional and Transition Programs Section (FTPS) conducted its third Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS Batch 3-2020) from 28 September to 09 October 2020.

PDOS is a regular training that FSI offers. It is conducted in batches for officers and staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and its partner agencies in preparation for their first assignment abroad. The training provides participants with fundamental information about Diplomacy and Philippine Foreign Policy, orients them on the functions and operations at Foreign Service Posts, prepares them for relocation to a foreign environment, and calls their attention for cross-cultural awareness and adaptation.

The training also acquaints participants with the common challenges that may arise while posted overseas and equips them with basic techniques on how to effectively address problem situations.

PDOS Batch 3 was conducted through Google Meet and Zoom platforms, and included two (2) asynchronous sessions: Crisis Management and Assistance-to-Nationals (CMAN) and Gender Sensitivity Training (GST). 

PDOS Batch 3 was participated in by 38 personnel: 31 from DFA and seven (7) from DFA’s partner agencies – Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of National Defense, and Philippine National Police.

A new topic was included in PDOS beginning this Batch, “Re-entry Planning for Returning Personnel from Tour of Duty.” The inclusion of the topic was in response to the need to discuss reintegration and readjustment in the Home Country at the end of one’s assignment at Post.

Acting Director Glenn Joseph Q. Obach of the DFA’s Human Resource Management Office – Benefits and Welfare Section emphasized during the session that a re-entry plan is equally important as preparing for posting. Both need adjustments for the officials and personnel and their families, Director Obach said.