CONSULAR SERVICES IN VIRGINIA BEACH ON JANUARY 23, 2010
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2010, Saturday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at The Travel Outlet.
The Embassy’s consular team will accept and process application for machine-readable passports, dual
citizenship, notarization of documents, and registration of births and marriages.
The outreach program will also include an oath-taking ceremony for individuals who will reacquire their Filipino
citizenship under the Dual Citizenship Law.
The Travel Outlet is located at 5347 Lila Lane, Suite 101, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
For details, please contact Joey Macatula of the Philippine Embassy at tel. no. 202-467-9312; fax no. 202-467-
9417 or email wdcpe@aol.com.
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RP Peacekeeping Deployments at All-Time High
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The Philippine Mission to the United Nations said that deployments in support of United Nations peacekeeping
operations is at an all-time high with more than a thousand Filipino military and police peacekeepers serving in
various conflict areas worldwide.
In his report to Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Ambassador to the Permanent Mission to the United
Nations Hilario G. Davide, Jr. said the Philippines had a total of 1,056 Filipino peacekeepers serving in nine UN
peacekeeping missions at the end of 2009.
Ambassador Davide said the figure represents a 40 percent surge in troop deployments compared to the end of
the previous year. This pushed the Philippines up to the 23rd position in the list of the top troop and police
contributing countries.
The country was 29th in the list at the end of 2008, with 626 military and police peacekeepers deployed.
“The 656 officers and enlisted personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the 415 officers
from the Philippine National Police (PNP) currently serving with the UN represent the largest number of Filipino
peacekeepers deployed overseas since the Philippines participated in its first UN peacekeeping operation
during the term of President Diosdado P. Macapagal,” Ambassador Davide said.
It attributed the surge to the assumption in October by a 336-man infantry battalion of peacekeeping
responsibilities in the Golan Heights, the deployment in November of additional police officers to support UN
humanitarian efforts in Darfur, and the deployment of military officers to augment the UN military observer group
in Kashmir.
In addition to the Philippine peacekeeping contingent serving with the UN Disengagement Observer Force in
the Golan Heights (UNDOF), the Philippines has a 157-man headquarters company with the UN Stabilization
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and a 139-man unit with the UN Mission.
Other AFP officers serve as military observers, liaison officers and staff officers in Sudan (11), Cote d’ Ivoire (7),
Kashmir (3), and Timor Leste (3).
Ambassador Davide also said that the Philippines remains on the list of the top contributors of individual police
officers to UN peacekeeping operations.
He said most PNP peacekeepers are deployed in Africa with 169 serving with the UN-African Union Hybrid
Mission in Darfur (UNAMID); 29 with the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS); and 26 with UNMIL. Another 153 officers
are deployed in Timor-Leste; 22 in Haiti; and one in Afghanistan.
“The present deployment accounts for the biggest number of PNP officers serving with the UN since the
Philippines first sent police peacekeepers to serve with the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia in 1992,”
Ambassador Davide said.
He added that the latest deployments more than made up for the peacekeeping slots the Philippines lost as a
result of the pullout of the PNP contingent from Kosovo following the assumption by the European Union of UN
peacekeeping responsibilities there.
The Philippines also lost some slots with the closure of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia and the
downsizing of UNMIL.
“We are proud of the fact that despite our limited resources, we were still able to fulfill our obligations as a
member of the family of nations,” Ambassador Davide said, as he assured the UN that it can continue counting
on the Philippines as a responsible and reliable peacekeeping partner.
The Philippines first participated in UN peacekeeping operations in 1963 when it contributed a 40-member
squadron from the Philippine Air Force to provide air support for the UN mission in the Congo.
Since then, Filipino peacekeepers have made their presence felt in UN operations in Afghanistan, Cambodia,
Burundi, Cote d’ Ivoire, Darfur, Georgia, Golan Height, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia, Kashmir, Kosovo, Nepal, Sudan and
Timor-Leste.
Prior to 2009, the highest number of Filipino peacekeepers deployed abroad was in 2000 when the Philippines
had 807 military and police personnel supporting UN operations in Timor-Leste, according to the Philippine
Mission. END
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RP Contingent Help in Preparation for Haiti Polls
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Members of the 10th Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent serving with the United Nations Stabilization Mission
(MINUSTAH) in Haiti under Lt. Col. Lope Dagoy conduct crowd control training in anticipation of tensions
expected to accompany next month’s legislative elections in the country.
In charge of securing the MINUSTAH Headquarters, the Filipino peacekeepers have been on a constant state of
alert as a result of the almost daily demonstrations taking place in Port-au-Prince. END (photo by Elmer Cato
and Jose Jacinto Morales, Philippine Mission to the United Nations, New York)
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RP to Host Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue in March
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The Philippines will host the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith
Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development on March 16-18.
Originally scheduled for 1-3 December 2009, the Ministerial Meeting was postponed to a later date so that the
Philippine Government could concentrate on relief and rehabilitation efforts in the wake of two devastating
cyclones that struck the country in the latter part of 2009.
As of January, more than 40 NAM countries have already confirmed their participation in the conference. The
Philippines expects more countries to send high-level delegations to the Ministerial Meeting in view of the
number of inquiries and feedback it has been receiving.
The Ministerial Meeting will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila. A one-
day Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) will be held on March 16 2010 to finalize the conference’s draft outcome
document.
The convening of the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting is consistent with the Sharm El Sheikh Declaration by
NAM Heads of State or Government to ‘identify and pursue necessary measures and contribute positively in
further promoting dialogue of civilizations, culture of peace and interfaith dialogue’.
At the 15th Summit of NAM in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on 15-16 July 2009, the Heads of State or Government
and Heads of Delegations issued a “call for an active participation and engagement of all NAM members in the
Special NAM Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development
to be held in Manila, Philippines on the initiative of the Government of the Philippines.”
The Philippines considers that intercultural and interfaith dialogue policy framework paves the way for the
coming together of people of different cultures and faiths to build, through dialogue and action, a shared
environment of peace and security based on mutual understanding, trust and respect.
The Philippines has been leading international initiatives on interfaith dialogue and has hosted three global
events on the subject matter since 2005. These are: the Philippines’ successful chairing of the First Informal
Meeting of World Leaders on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace in the United Nations in September
2005; the hosting of the Second Dialogue on Regional Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, Development and
Human Dignity on March 2006 in Cebu; and the launching and chairmanship of the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith
Cooperation for Peace. END
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DFA Opens State-of-the-Art Consular Building
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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) held a soft opening of its new state-of-the-art building that will serve as
the home of its consular services.
Present during the opening were DFA Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)
Chairperson Patricia A. Sto. Tomas, DBP President Reynaldo David, DFA Undersecretary for Administration
Franklin M. Ebdalin, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Renato A. Villapando and other officials and guests.
“We started making advancements in world-class, modern, innovative and internationally-compliant consular
services through the launch of the ePassport. With the move of the DFA’s Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA)
to this new building, we are approaching the end of that roadmap,” Secretary Romulo said.
“In this intelligent building, instead of sweltering heat, our consular clients will be greeted with cool air at the
moment they enter our doors. Instead of monobloc chairs, they will wait their turn sitting on ergonomically-
designed stainless steel benches. Instead of long queues, they can shorten their wait by accessing our online
appointment system. Instead of going from building to building, they only need to move from ground to second
floor,” he added.
He said that DFA-OCA personnel will also enjoy the convenience of modern work stations, furniture and
equipment.
The new facility is located at the corner of Bradco and Macapagal Avenues in Aseana Business Park,
Paranaque City, a few minutes away from the Mall of Asia.
The acquisition of the PhP530-million, 7,000-square meter, four-storey building was realized with the
assistance of the DBP.
For her part, DBP Chairperson Sto. Tomas offered the development bank’s continuing assistance in DFA’s
future property acquisitions.
The facility will be opened to the public once it is formally inaugurated in the next few weeks.
The new facility will be the home of the ePassport, the electronic authentication system, the electronic visa
system, and digitalized consular records system.
An intelligent building, the facility is equipped with fiber-optic lines, CCTV cameras and other high-tech
information and communications infrastructure. Made of tempered glass and steel, the modern OCA office
departs from the traditional concrete buildings.
The OCA building is poised to set the new standard among government front-line offices, providing the public
with fast, efficient, and comfortable service.
Secretary Romulo initiated the relocation of OCA to the modern building to make the DFA’s services at par with
those of advanced countries and to put the Philippines on high gear towards progress.
It is part of the ongoing modernization program undertaken by Secretary Romulo to further improve its frontline
services which include harnessing new technologies in passport and visa issuances and streamlined
procedures in the authentication of documents.
An earlier major accomplishment in the DFA’s modernization thrust was the launch of the Philippine ePassport
on August 11, 2009, with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as guest of honor. With the issuance of the
ePassport, the Philippines is now among the first countries in the world to implement the latest in passport
technology.
To ensure quick, comfortable service, passport applicants are advised to check the passport requirements and
secure an online appointment at www.dfa.gov.ph (consular tab), or to call the consular help-line number (02-
556-0000) or DFA telephone number (02-834-4000). Applications may also be filed with the DFA’s 19 Regional
Consular and satellite offices. END
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RP Embassy in Manama Commemorates Rizal Day 2009
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The Philippine Embassy in Manama commemorated Rizal Day with a program on 29 December 2009 at the
Embassy premises. The event was attended by Filipino community leaders, embassy personnel and their
families.
Highlights of the program were the reading of Jose Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios in English and Filipino languages,
his work ‘’Sa aking mga Kababata,’’ and the speeches and remarks delivered during the occasion.
Mr. Tony Zamudio, Chapter Commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) – Bahrain Chapter,
delivered a presentation on ‘’Rizal’s Relevance in the 21st Century.’’ He encouraged everyone to uphold, as a
way of honoring Rizal’s memory, the ideals and teachings of the national hero such as love for country and
people, promotion of social justice and general welfare, freedom, value of education, and being truthful and
honest in thoughts, words, and deeds.
Mr. Cesar Navarro, Filipino Club Bahrain’s acting President, shared his thoughts on Rizal as a leader. He
narrated how Rizal secured political and social reforms for his country and at the same time educated his
countrymen.
Chargé d’Affaires Sahid S. Glang and Consul Raquel R. Solano gave the opening and closing remarks,
respectively. A merienda followed thereafter. END
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RP Embassy in Caracas Commemorates Rizal Day 2009
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A team from the Philippine Embassy in Caracas, together with some overseas Filipino workers based in
Caracas and in Puerto Cabello, made a floral offering before the bust of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P.
Rizal in the Plaza de los Heroes, Puerto Cabello on 30 December 2009. The area is located in Estado
Carabobo, 238 kilometers from Caracas. END
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RP Embassy in Ankara Commemorates Rizal Day 2009
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The Philippine Embassy in Ankara commemorated the 113th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal with a flag-
raising ceremony and the singing of the National Anthem at the reception hall of the Embassy in the morning of
30 December 2009.
The event was attended by staff members and their dependents.
Rizal’s novels Noli Me Tangere and EI Filibusterismo, several books, essays and publications on his life, works
and writings, were displayed from the Embassy library.
A traditional Filipino breakfast was served after the ceremonies. END
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RP Consulate General in HK commemorates 113th Death Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal
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Officers of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong led the Consulate staff, as well as members of the
Filipino community, in simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies held in three locations in Hong Kong on 30
December 2009 to mark the 113th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.
The ceremonies were held at 2 Rednaxela Terrace in the Mid-levels, where Dr. Jose Rizal and his family lived
from 1891 to 1892; at Century Square Building on D’ Águilar Street in the Central District where he practiced
medicine; and at Morrison Hill Road Park in Wan Chai where the first Philippine national flag was sewn.
Special commemorative markers had been set up in these three locations by the Hong Kong Government’s
Antiquities and Monuments Office to honor Dr. Rizal and “to commemorate the historical role of Hong Kong in
the Filipino people’s struggle for independence.” END
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Filipino Community in Hong Kong celebrated its second year of Misa Aguinaldo 2009
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Inspired by the theme, “Star of Hope”, Filipinos in Hong Kong again celebrated the Christmas season as a
community for the second year in a row with a Misa de Aguinaldo on Christmas Eve at the Harcourt Garden in
Admiralty.
Over 2,000 Hong Kong-based Filipinos attended the event, which provided them an opportunity to take part in a
cherished Filipino Christmas tradition.
Officiating at the Mass was Rev. Fr. Lino Nicasio, SVD, whose homily emphasized the nobility and preciousness
of human life and God’s wish for all to enjoy fullness of life. The mass was celebrated with time-honored
Christmas carols led by the El Shaddai Choir. The mass also showed a video of Most Reverend John Tong
Hon, Bishop of Hong Kong, delivering his Christmas message.
The theme “Star of Hope” was manifested in the Parol Festival that featured parols made by various
organizations. The parols were set up around Harcourt Garden and helped to create a festive Filipino Christmas
mood. Adorning the altar was a Christmas tree made of 10 parols designed by Hong Kong-based Filipino
architects.
Consul General Claro S. Cristobal extended his warm Christmas greetings to the parishioners, and thanked
everyone who made the mass possible, especially to Fr. Emil Lim, who organized the misa aguinaldo. He also
announced the winners of the Parol competition, namely the Oriental Mindoro Association for first prize; South
Cotabato Overseas Workers Association, second prize; and Hour of Love Association, third prize.
The Misa Aguinaldo was organized by the Chaplaincy for Filipino Migrants, Couples for Christ Foundation for
Family and Life, JVP Marketing and Entertainment Ltd., and the Philippine Consulate General. The mass was
also for the first time broadcast live by Metro Plus Radio 1044.
The resulting collections from the Misa Aguinaldo will be placed in a trust fund to assist OFW cancer patients in
Hong Kong. END
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RP Embassy in Madrid Commemorates Rizal Day 2009
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The Philippine Embassy in Madrid commemorated the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal through a flag-raising
ceremony, a floral offering, and recitation of Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios”, held at the Rizal monument in Madrid.
Joining Embassy officials and staff are members of the Knights of Rizal-Madrid Chapter. END
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