MANILA (ANN/Daily Inquirer) – The Philippine government has observed a significant increase in the number of Filipinos marrying foreigners, largely influenced by social media, according to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).
In popular local slang, these foreigners are often referred to as “Afam,” an acronym for “a foreigner assigned in Manila.”
CFO Chairperson Romulo Arugay revealed in a recent television interview that Americans top the list of foreign spouses, followed by Japanese, Germans, Canadians, and Australians.
“The number of marriage migrants in the Philippines has remained high since 2007, with a slight decline during the pandemic. However, in 2022, we witnessed a 20 to 30 per cent increase, with up to 6,500 Filipinos marrying foreigners,” Arugay stated.
Of these marriages, approximately 90 per cent were Filipino women, while the remaining 10 per cent involved Filipino men.
The CFO attributes this rise primarily to the growing use of social media, as well as the “matchmaking” efforts of family and friends.
Preventing Exploitation Through Marriage
To safeguard the welfare of Filipinos marrying foreign nationals, the CFO offers a guidance and counseling program aimed at preventing human trafficking disguised as marriage.
“The CFO ensures that before leaving the country, Filipinos intending to marry abroad have completed all necessary documentation and secured the required visas. They are also required to participate in our office’s guidance and counseling program,” Arugay explained.
