PR-09-2025
The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne and the Migrant Workers’ Office – Canberra deployed an outreach mission on 26, 27, 28 March 2025 to serve the Filipino Communities in South Australia.
Outreach to South Australia
On 26, 27, 28 March 2025, the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne, together with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Canberra, conducted a Consular Mobile Outreach Mission in Adelaide, delivering a total of 154 consular services. The services rendered included applications for new and renewal of e-Passports, petitions for reacquisition/retention of Philippine citizenship under R.A. 9225, civil registry, notarials and certification. MWO Canberra also processed 71 verification of contracts and overseas employment certificates (OECs) during the outreach.
In addition to the consular services, the outreach included a Town Hall Meeting attended by various community leaders of the Filipino community. Consul Abarquez delivered an overview of the services and priorities of the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne and highlighted the Consulate’s commitment to accessible services through regular consular missions to Adelaide.
The Town Hall Meeting discussed various topics affecting the Filipino community in South Australia. In addition, in celebration of National Women’s Month, leaflets and purple ribbons were distributed during the Town Hall Meeting, symbolizing support for women’s rights and gender equality.
Consul Abarquez also informed attendees that the mid-term national elections will be conducted online through the Overseas Voting and Counting System (OVCS). Attendees were reminded that the pre-voting enrolment period is from 20 March 2025 to 07 May 2025 and the actual overseas voting period is from 13 April 2025 to 12 May 2025.
Labor Attaché Melissa C. Mendizabal briefed the attendees on the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)’s role in facilitating overseas employment and reintegration of Filipino workers.
The joint session was well-received, with participants expressing appreciation for the information shared and a commitment to disseminate the updates to their fellow Filipinos in South Australia.
The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne holds consular jurisdiction over Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. Outreach activities are conducted to be able to serve Filipinos who may not be able to travel to Melbourne for consular services. END
