PR-15-2024
The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne led by Consul General Maria Lourdes M. Salcedo and accompanied by Consul Jan Sherwin P. Wenceslao successfully carried out a consular mobile mission in Pyramid Hill, Regional Victoria, also serving the surrounding areas, including Echuca, Bendigo, and Swan Hill.
The mission delivered consular services such as processing new and renewal passport applications, civil registrations (Reports of Birth and Marriage), jurats, reacquisition of Philippine citizenship under Republic Act 9225, and overseas voting registration.
On 30 June 2024, at St. Mary’s Parish in Echuca, approximately 50 members of the Filipino community, led by Father Novelito Lim, gathered to meet with the PCG team. While the long-time residents have their families with them, many who came were young mechanics, welders and pig/chicken farm workers who recently arrived in Victoria.
Consul General Salcedo highlighted the Filipino community’s instrumental role in revitalizing the region’s agriculture and healthcare sectors, thus contributing to enhancing Philippine-Australian relations. “You are not only God’s face as mentioned by Fr. Lim; you are also the face of the Philippines,” she told them.The Australian church leaders expressed their appreciation for the Filipino community’s contributions in “giving back life to the church.”
Earlier on 28 June 2024, Consul General Salcedo visited Bupa Aged Care in Echuca, where she met with the Filipino staff, including General Manager Ms. Lailani Gulinao-Dorupa. The Filipino community’s significant presence in healthcare and aged care at Bupa Echuca has grown to include 10 Filipino nurses and about 30 personnel supporting a 120-bed facility. The Consulate reaffirmed support for Filipino nurses and aged care professionals and discussed the potential for more opportunities and investments in healthcare and aged care sectors between the Philippines and Australia.
Consul General Salcedo also met with key regional officials, including Cr Rob Amos, Mayor of Campaspe Shire Council, and Cr Gavan Holt, Mayor of Loddon Shire. These meetings focused on trade, investment, and employment opportunities, with both mayors acknowledging the Filipino community’s positive impact on the local economy.
The mission was deemed highly successful, with plans to conduct additional Mobile Consular Missions in other regional areas of Victoria later this year, affirming the Consulate’s commitment to supporting Filipinos throughout the region.
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