Kapamilya host and former professional volleyball player Gretchen Ho extended her gratitude towards the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the action they took about her concern on the foreign exchange booth in Oslo, Norway. In a Facebook post earlier this week, she shared an update, explaining that doing so wasn’t just for her family’s convenience but for all Filipinos who wish to have their dollars exchanged in the Norwegian airport.
It was earlier this month when Gretchen expressed her concern after her mom wasn’t allowed to exchange 300 USD (less than Php 20,000) at the foreign exchange counter at the airport. The staff of the foreign exchange counter explained that since her mom came from the Philippines, they couldn’t transact due to the corruption and money laundering happening in the country.
Gretchen has since then talked with the Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico T. Fo and aired her concerns. After the conversation, the DFA released the good news that Filipinos traveling to Norway can now exchange their money at the Oslo Gardermoen Airport.
“FILIPINOS SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE THEIR MONEY NOW AT ALL LOOMI’s BRANCHES (the FX provider at the Oslo Gardermoen Airport), without any hassle,” Gretchen shared in her post.
The Star Magic talent expressed her gratitude for the quick action from the DFA, maintaining that she doesn’t want anyone to experience what her mother encountered while she was on vacation in the European country.
READ: Gretchen Ho talks to Philippine Ambassador to Norway; hopes to get clarification on policies
“Thank you for this continuous effort from the Philippine Embassy in Norway to ensure that what happened to my mom and her fellow seniors won’t happen to other Filipinos,” she wrote.
“This incident is bigger than my own family, and in every instance, we take the opportunity to ask why — to clarify, to understand, to verify and to rectify,” she added.
Gretchen assured her followers that the country has already been removed from the grey lists earlier this year, and European countries such as Norway should honor it.
“It is clear that the Philippines has already been removed from the FATF and EU grey lists, and this is a fact that we can carry with us as we travel abroad — There is no reason for ordinary Filipinos to be denied foreign exchange services (lalo na kung maliliit na halaga lang naman),” she stressed.
She then shared how the government agency assured her that they will be as committed to other Filipinos who will report about any anomalies in the future.
“The DFA has committed the same speedy response and prompt action to help our Kababayans, and knowing how dedicated our diplomats are, I know they will see this through,” she ended.