Statement of the Hon. Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, on the
Bombing of the Marriot and Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia on 17 July 2009
|
| |
The Philippine Government strongly condemns the bombings of the Marriot Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton in
Jakarta this morning. As Indonesia’s close friend and neighbor, we stand steadfast with the people and
Government of Indonesia in this time of tragedy.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo offers her condolences to the people of Indonesia and to the families of the
innocent victims. Our prayers extend to them and to those who are recovering from their injuries.
Taking away the lives and liberties of people, whether Indonesian or foreigner, serves no purpose whatsoever.
It only undermines the cause for peace and stability sought by the peoples of the world.
These dastardly and inhumane acts all the more reinforce the need for vigilance and greater and deeper
cooperation regionally and globally, to counter, prevent and suppress all acts of terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations.
The Philippine Government fully supports the efforts of the Indonesian Government to effectively deal with this
dark episode and to bring the perpetrators to justice. END
|
| |
Reports from Philippine Embassies and Consulates (As of 17 July 2009)
|
| |
Yangon PE
* Second reported laboratory confirmed case of A(H1N1) in Myanmar.
* No cases of Filipinos getting infected with the disease in Myanmar.
Prague PE
* 17 reported laboratory confirmed cases of A(H1N1) in Czech Republic.
* No cases of Filipinos getting infected with the disease in Czech Republic.
Chicago PCG
* 12,063 reported confirmed and probable cases of A(H1N1) and 32 reported deaths in the Midwestern states.
* There are no reported cases of affected individuals of Filipino / Filipino-American descent in Post’s
jurisdiction.
Beirut PE
* 60 reported laboratory confirmed cases of A(H1N1) in Lebanon.
* To date Post has not received any report on Filipinos contracting the virus.
Hong Kong SAR PCG
* Post reported that a Filipina was confirmed with A(H1N1) virus and was diagnosed with severe pneumonia.
Assistance had been extended to the patient.
* Post sadly reports the demise of a Filipino seafarer found to be afflicted with Community-Associated
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) and A(H1N1) Influenza on 10 July 2009.
* Post assured the family of the deceased of Philippine government’s assistance in the timely return of the
deceased to the Philippines.
Shanghai PCG
* Post reported that another Filipino was confirmed as an A(H1N1) patient. This is the third case under Post’s
jurisdiction.
Beijing PE
* Post reported that a Filipino was confirmed as A(H1N1) patient and had been confined in a local hospital.
One Filipino was placed under quarantine because of history of close contact with the patient.
* Post has left its hotline number to the staff of different quarantine sites for any information and updates.
Brunei PE
* 300 reported laboratory confirmed cases of A(H1N1) and one (1) reported death in Brunei.
* Post has instituted a number of practical measures in the Embassy to decrease the chance of its personnel
contracting the virus.
Sydney PCG
* 9828 reported laboratory confirmed cases of A(H1N1) and 19 deaths in Australia.
Riyadh PE
* The Arab News has reported that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a total number of 216 A(H1N1) confirmed
cases.
* Post conducted a meeting with the officials of the Filipino community and representatives from DepEd
accredited private schools offering Philippine education curriculum and are serving mostly Filipino students to
discuss and encourage transparency reporting of confirmed cases, sharing most effective measures and
awareness campaigns to prevent the spread of the virus within the community.
* Post was informed by the representatives from the schools that there are 16 Filipinos confirmed as A(H1N1)
patient.
|
Filipino Seafarer Afflicted with CA-MRSA and A/H1N1 passes away
|
| |
The Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong sadly reports the demise of a 42-year-old Filipino
male seafarer from La Union province found to be afflicted with Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) and A/H1N1 Influenza. Health authorities have yet to determine the precise
cause of death.
Authorities said the Filipino experienced fever, cough and chest painson 03 July while aboard the Greek-
registered container ship MSC Mykonos, which left Hong Kong on 30 June. In the afternoon of 08 July, when
the ship had returned to Hong Kong, the deceased was immediately brought to Ruttonjee Hospital where he
was diagnosed with pneumonia. Afterwards, health authorities reported that he began experiencing
respiratory failure and was subsequently placed under intensive care.
In the morning of 10 July, the patient began experiencing multiple organ failure; doctors tried to resuscitate
him to no avail. He was declared dead at noon on 10 July.
Since 10 July, the Consulate has been working with the manning agency of the deceased for the repatriation
of his remains. The Consulate continues to coordinate with health authorities on matters concerning his case.
Consul General Claro Cristobal personally extends his deepest condolences to the bereaved and assures
them of the Philippine government’s assistance in the timely return of the deceased to the
Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Consul General urges Filipinos working in or intending to travel to Hong Kong to exercise the
highest vigilance against the swine flu by postponing their travel plans when they develop flu-like symptoms
and by seriously taking the following measures:
* Refrain from attending public gatherings if you develop symptoms of influenza;
* Wear a surgical mask when symptoms of respiratory tract infection or fever develop.
* Seek medical advice promptly;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
* Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth;
* Wash hands with liquid soap promptly if they are contaminated byrespiratory tract secretions;
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharges properly;
* Always wrap nasal and mouth discharges with tissue paper, and dispose of the tissue paper properly in a
lidded rubbish bin.
Those in the territory affected by the spread of the A/H1N1 influenza are encouraged to send a text message or
call the Consulate’s 24-hour hotline at 9155-4023. END.
|
| |
DFA RCO in Baguio City Inaugurated, Operations to Begin on July 20
|
| |
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Regional Consular Office (RCO) in Baguio City was inaugurated last
July 13.
DFA Assistant Secretary Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. of the DFA Office of Consular Affairs represented Foreign
Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo at the event.
Also in attendance at the inauguration ceremony were Baguio Representative Congressman Mauricio
Domogan and Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, and other city and provincial officials.
The RCO, which will be fully staffed and equipped, will extend the full range of consular services such as
passport processing and issuance, authentication services and visa processing, among others.
The RCO is located at the Monsylito Building on 16 Legarda Road in Baguio City. Regular operations will
commence on Monday, July 20.
In his remarks, Assistant Secretary Lucenario discussed Secretary Romulo’s program of making passport
and consular services available in outlying areas. He expressed the Department’s appreciation for the Baguio
City government’s support, especially the assistance of Congressman Domogan, in facilitating the approval
for the budget of the extension office.
The DFA Assistant Secretary also noted that the opening of the RCO coincided with Baguio City’s centennial,
saying that the establishment of the RCO was the Department’s gift for the city.
Both Congressman Domogan and Mayor Bautista expressed great appreciation to the DFA for opening an
extension office in Baguio, citing the importance of the RCO in providing consular services to the increasing
number of Baguio residents and people in the Cordillera region and nearby areas who need to avail of such
services.
With the opening of the RCO in Baguio City, residents and people living in the Cordillera region and nearby
areas need not travel to the RCO in La Union to avail of consular services. END
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
DFA to Intensify Overseas Absentee Voting Registration Activities in Foreign Service
Posts
|
| |
17 July 2009 – The Department of Foreign Affairs announced that it will intensify its Overseas Absentee Voting
(OAV) registration activities in all Foreign Service Posts (FSP) this July and August.
With barely two months left in the OAV registration period, the DFA OAV Secretariat is encouraging all FSPs to
conduct mobile/field registration activities in distant areas of their respective jurisdictions.
For the months of July and August, several FSPs are scheduled to conduct mobile registration activities which
are as follows:
• In Doha, Qatar, the Embassy will conduct a mobile registration activity in NDIA site and Pearl GTL-Ras Laffan
on July 24 and 31.
• In Jeddah, KSA, the Philippine Consulate General will hold a mobile registration activity in Al-Tawhid
International School, Yanbu on July 16-17, at Khamis Mushayt in the Assir region on July 23-24, and at the Al-
Hekma International School (AHIS) on July 31.
• The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, KSA is conducting its mobile registration at the International School in Al-
Khobar from July 13 until the last day of the registration period.
• In Hong Kong, Filipinos may register at the Consulate, Lik Shang Plaza, the Kowloon Filipino Baptist Church,
the Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos, St. Josephs Church, the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
the St. Benedict Church and at the St. Thomas Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos.
• In Taiwan, the MECO Taichung will hold its registration activity at the Dart Wits Dormitory Chu-Nan on July 14
and 17. Another activity will be held at the Top Polly Chu-Nan Dormitory on July 21 and 24. On July 28, a
registration activity will be held at the King yuan Electronics Co., Ltd.
• The Consulate in Osaka, Japan will conduct a registration activity in Fukuyama City on August 16.
• The Philippine Embassy in Canberra is also extending its registration activities in the areas of Melbourne,
Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, and in Hobart, Tasmania.
• In the United States, the Consulate in Los Angeles will be conducting registration activities in Chandler,
Arizona on July 17 to 19, in Houston, Texas on July 30 to August 3, in San Diego, California on August 1, in
Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 7 to 9, in Dallas, Texas on August 13 to 17, and in Las Vegas, Nevada on
August 21 to 23.
• In Chicago, the Consulate will conduct registration activities in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin from July
to August.
In line with this, Filipino organizations and communities worldwide are encouraged to register to be able to
vote in the 2010 national elections. END
|
| |
RP Participates at the 2009 South African National Arts Festival
|
| |
The Philippines successfully participated for the first time at the 2009 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown,
South Africa, which was held from 2 to 11 July 2009.
The South African National Arts Festival is one of the most important events on the country’s cultural calendar,
and the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent.
University of the Philippines Professor Dr. Arminda Vallejo Santiago, who represented film director Clodualdo
del Mundo, was accompanied by the Embassy’s Cultural and Information Officer, Ms. Helen R. Firme-Subido,
at the Festival from 3 to 9 July 2009.
The Philippines was able to participate in the Main Film Programme of the National Arts Festival. Seven
Philippine films were shown at the Olive Shreiner Hall of the Monument in Grahamstown from July 3 to 8.
The Filipino movies screened included “Manila in the Claws of Darkness” (Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag),
directed by the late Lino Brocka; “Baler” by Mark Meily, “Peeping” (Silip) by Elwood Perez; Mike De Leon’s
“Third World Hero” (Bayaning Thirdworld); the comedy “Crying Ladies” by Mark Meily; Laurice Guillen’s “Santa
Santita”’; and “Manoro” of Brillante Mendoza. “Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag” was the opening film shown on
July 3.
Before the screening of the film “Maynila…”, Ms. Firme-Subido delivered a speech on behalf of Ambassador
Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr., who was on official leave. Professor Santiago then made an introduction of the film and
talked about film director Lino Brocka.
Despite the fact that Philippine films are not popular to festival goers, “Crying Ladies” surprisingly captured the
interest of the audience.
The Philippines was also able to participate in the Main Music Program of the Festival through Grahamstown-
based Filipina pianist Ms. Mariel Ilusorio, with Chilean-born violinist Mr. Juan Luis Muñoz, a senior lecturer in
music at Rhodes University, and three South African vocalists.
In their Music of the Philippines, they presented a programme of works for solo piano, voice and violin
introducing Philippine culture and classical music at the Beethoven Room in Grahamstown.
During the first part of the programme, which was presented on July 8, Ms. Firme-Subido also delivered a
speech and gave a short talk about Philippine Music.
After the concert, people approached the artists, expressing their appreciation of Philippine music, their
interest in the Philippines, and praising the artists for their outstanding performance.
The second part of the programme, held on July 10 in the same venue, was more successful as it was
honoured by a standing ovation from a bigger crowd.
The proposals for the Philippine participation in this year’s National Arts Festival came directly from the
Philippine Embassy, and supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Now in its 35th year, the Festival began in 1974 and has grown to be one of the leading arts festivals in
southern Africa. Its objectives are to deliver excellence; encourage innovation and development in the arts by
providing a platform for both established and emerging South African artists; create opportunities for
collaboration with international artists; and build new audiences. END
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
