Page 37 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

July to December 37
2017

New Yok Consulate Holds Forum on Elder Abuse and Scams

The Philippine Consulate General in New York
held an anti-abuse and anti-scam forum for the senior
and aging members of the Filipino-American
community on 18 November 2017 at the Kalayaan Hall
of the Philippine Center.

The event was organized by the Consulate to

inform the community of the different forms of abuse

and scams perpetrated against seniors and aging

citizens, how to avoid them, and the different actions

and resources available to them if they become victims.

Representatives of Fil-Am organizations for the seniors,

as well as unaffiliated senior members of the The resource persons and participants pose for a photo after the forum.
community, actively participated in the forum.

Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon- De Vega said that the event is part of the Consulate's efforts to provide
programs and platforms to further empower members of the Fil-Am community, particularly the underserved and vulnerable
sectors. She said that this session is important as the number of those belonging to the senior sector is expected to
significantly increase in the coming years.

Resource speakers invited by the Consulate shared their expertise on various topics. Ms. Jennine Ventura, a Fil-Am
Director at the NYC Department of the Aging, gave an overview of the services and resources provided by the New York City
government for members of the aging community. Ms. Carol Tanjutco of Eagle Strategies LLC discussed in detail the different
financial scams and how to avoid them.

Ms. DJ Arucan of the organization Womankind shared her experience as an advocate against abuses against women

and offered the services of her organization in case there are cases of abuse and scams in the community. Mr. Timothy

(Continued from page 36… “Know Your Rights”) Hatter of the Office of Attorney General
Eric T. Schneiderman shared to the

The seminar was well attended with community the actual forms of abuses and
participants listening to the presentations from scams reported to their office and how
Melanie Zuch, a lawyer-advocate of the Urban they could be avoided.

Justice Center, and Ms. Christine Zhou, of the New The forum was moderated by
York City Mayor’s Office on Immigrant Affairs. The Consul Arman R. Talbo.
two speakers discussed the rights of immigrants,

new arrivals, and residents living in the United

States, insofar as rules on immigration arrests and

detentions are concerned, as well as the benefits

and services available for immigrants, in the city and

Lawyer Melanie Zuch of the Urban state of New York.

Justice Center DAMAYAN likewise presented various

scenarios providing helpful guidelines for migrants

facing immigration related situations. Updates on Resource persons discuss abuses and scams targeting
pending human and labor trafficking cases involving the aging. (Top R-L) Ms. Jennine Ventura, Ms. Carol
Filipino complainants were likewise provided. Tanjutco, Consul Arman R. Talbo, Mr. Timothy Hatter,

Many of the attendees also took the and Ms. DJ Arucan

opportunity to consult with the many lawyer-

volunteers who had turned up for that afternoon. A

contingent from the Filipino-American Legal Defense

and Education Fund (FALDEF) had come, along with

other private practitioners.

The Consulate’s next Know Your Rights

Session is on the Rights and Protection of the

Elderly/Aging Community on 18 November 2017 Senior members of the Fil-Am community participate in
the Forum organized by the Philippine Consulate.
Ms. Christine Zhou of the New York again with resource speakers from the legal
Mayor’s Office on Immigration Affairs community, NYPD, and NY Mayor’s Office.