BY NONOY PERDON – During the Town Meeting held last Sunday 21 August, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz challenged the Philippine community in Sydney to rise above differences and join in at least one big event in the commmunity this year 2016.
Community leaders including “elders” of the community representing peak bodies and mega organisations bumped into each other in a very rare occasion in almost a decade.
Among them were the heads of Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC-NSW), Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations(APCO), Philippine Australian Sports and Culture (PASC), and a number of affiliate bodies including those from country NSW.
Mission rather than a job
Following a Q and A that clarified a number of Philippine government position on issues affecting the Philippines, the Ambassador urged community leaders to consider their volunteering in the community as a mission rather than a job.
With the Philippine Consulate auditorium filled to capacity, it was the first time a such a meeting was held since the Ambassador arrived in her new porting in Australia, although she had spoken and had been a guest in a number of functions hosted by a number off organisations.
Community leaders in NSW including those from as far as Bathurst and Central Coast came.
In answer to a question, the Ambassador said there are regulations concerning the sending donations of money and goods to the Philippines in times of calamity.
Ambassador Calaguian-Cruz urged individuals and organisations to do well in this regard by preparing to undertake a deed or agreement with the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development. This way parties from outside the Philippines for instance can obtain possible good considerations by the Bureau of Customs and granted exemption from tariff duties.
West Philippine Sea
As for the China and West Philippine Sea issue, Ambassador Calaguian-Cruz said that China already declared that it will not abide with the recent international ruling regarding the controversy. While this is so, she aid the Philippines will still look for approaches to continue relations with China. She said that while the recent international ruling means several maritime benefits to the country, there however no actual enforcement of the ruling in sight. She said the Philippine government has already appointed former president Fidel V. Ramos to head a team to come up with possible approaches to the issue. In the meantime, the Ambassador said the Philippines continue to support and encouragement from the advocacies of international allies especially the ASEAN nations. She said there has been no release of any document from the ASEAN for any overture of any separate or individual steps on the matter.
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The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney announced its forthcoming consular outreach mission at the Sydney iesta Kultura on 3 October from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Fairfield Showground, in Fairfield, NSW.
During the consular mission, the consulate will accept applications for the following consular documents: ePassport, notarials/authentications, civil registry including report of birth and report of marriage, and NBI clearance.
Details on the requirements for each of the above consular services can also be accessed at the Consulate’s website: www.philippineconsulate.com.au.
Applicants are advised to send (via e-mail at communications@philippineconsulate.com.au or through fax no. 02962 7355) their forms and documentary requirements to the Consulate in advance or before 20 September 2016, so that the Consular Team can assess whether the submitted documents are complete.
This is also so that applicants can be advised beforehand of any additional document that they must present during the outreach mission.
For queries, please contact the Consulate at telephone number (02) 92627377 or the Consulate’s Duty Officer at 0415 426400
Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate also announced the forthcoming Second Ambassadors, Consuls and Tourism Directors (ACTD) Tour entitled “Visit the Philippines Again 2016”, for Australia and New Zealand on 18-24 September 2016 (7days/6nights).
Enabling tour agency Rajah Tour Philippines has released a tour itinerary which include visits of Souther Philippines including Molo district, molo church, Asilo de Molo, La villa Rico de Arevalo, Oton church and plaza, Tigbauan SEADEC and Fish World,Guimbal church, Miagao church, Hablon fabrics, San Joaquin, all in IloIlo in Southern Philippines. Contact Rajah Tours for details, jenny.pabilona@rajahtours.com.ph or Philippine tel. (632) 5220541 to 48.
In a memo to organisation, ConGen Anne Jalando-on Louis said the consulate will undertake the consular outreach mission in cooperation with the host of the event the Philippine Australian Sports and Culture (PASC), Inc. The consulate will process consular businesses on that day