PR-30-2022
A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne visited Adelaide, South Australia to provide consular outreach services to the Filipino Community. The team was led by Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo and joined by Consul Jan Sherwin Wenceslao, Mr. Ernie P. Enriquez, Mr. Domingo Salvador M. Bea, and Ms. Arlene B. Guarino.
Ms. Carmen A. Garcia, Philippine Honorary Consul to South Australia, as well as her team of volunteers, extended all-out logistical and technical support, including the use of her office in Adelaide CBD as the venue for the Consular Mission.
The team served a total of 416 clients with various consular needs, such as passport applications and renewal, civil registration (Reports of Birth), as well as Philippine citizenship retention and reacquisition (dual citizenship) under Republic Act 9225. Most of the applicants expressed appreciation for the conduct of the outreach services, which resulted in significant savings and convenience in not having to travel to Melbourne, the nearest career consulate, and take time off work and family duties. In addition, 59 Filipinos reacquired their Filipino citizenship (as dual citizens) through Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003.
During the course of the Consular Mission to Adelaide, Consul General Salcedo undertook community engagement activities, including meeting with over thirty (30) Filipino Community leaders in South Australia, as well as discussions with Filipino students studying in Adelaide.
Consul General Salcedo also took the opportunity to make introductory calls on high officials and stakeholders in South Australia, including H.E. Frances Adamson, Governor of South Australia; Hon. MP Zoe Bettison, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of South Australia; Ms. Elizabeth Day, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of South Australia; and Ms. Jacqueline Lo, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Adelaide.
As a result of the strong demand for consular services, the Consulate General in Melbourne is looking to conduct more frequent consular mobile outreach missions to Adelaide. The Filipino population in Adelaide is estimated at over twenty-five thousand strong.
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