SFA-AGR-518a-08

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL CHICAGO CONDUCTSCONSULAR OUTREACH SERVICES IN OHIO

12 August 2008—The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that it conducted a consular outreach program in Parma, Ohio on 01-03 August 2008. It was held at the Philippine-American Cultural and Civic Center in Parma.

Consul General Blesila C. Cabrera and the 7-member team traveled to Northeast Ohio to conduct its consular outreach services for the large and growing Filipino American Community. The outreach mission was meant to make it convenient for our kababayan to avail of the  essential services that the Consulate provides.

The Consular Team led by Consul General Blesila C. Cabrera was composed of Rosabelle Q. Toledo, Maria Benilda V. Tagle, Danilo G. Cabanayan, Rowena M. Ricafort, Maria Victoria I. Rivera, Edgardo A. Salazar and Trade Representative Glenn G. Peñaranda.

The team received and processed 68 applications for renewal of Philippine passports, 31 applications for dual citizenship and 21 notarials / civil registry.  The team also serviced and answered queries mostly on dual citizenship, visas, ownership or properties and studying in the Philippines, enrollment / validation of GSIS e-card.  People from cities in and around Northeast and Southwest Ohio drove all the way to Parma, Ohio to process their applications and documents as well as to meet with the official delegation from Chicago.

The consular outreach program was organized and coordinated by the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago with the FilAm organizations in Ohio such as the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce (USA) Inc.- Cleveland Chapter to bring consular services directly to the various local communities under its jurisdiction. Consul General Cabrera said “the consular outreach program is in line with our commitment to reach out and bring services to Filipino communities in the US Midwest. We understand the great difficulties of our kababayan to travel all the way from Northeast Ohio to Chicago,” she added.
 

Among the highlights of the consular outreach program was the oath-taking ceremony for new dual citizens. Consul General Cabrera administered the oath taking of thirty-one (31) Filipino-Americans who became dual citizens. It was witnessed by family members and relatives who took photos to record the emotional and joyful event.

Aside from the consular services, the Consular team also provided information and replied to tourism-related queries like tourism destinations and medical tourism. Promotional materials, posters and brochures were made available by the Philippine Department of Tourism office in Chicago.

On trade and investment related concerns, Mr. Glenn G. Peñaranda, Philippine Trade Representative, met and networked with Convergys Corporation, the Cincinnati Giant of the Call Center Business, which employs 14,500 people in nine (9) contact centers located in Metro Manila’s premier business district. He met with the Philippine American Society of Central Ohio (PASCO), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce of Ohio (PCCO) and Lakewood Community College.   He also serviced potential business interests. His visit resulted in strengthening the network for promoting Philippine business.  It also provided an important opportunity to promote doing business in the Philippines among the Filipino-American community.

The Filipino-American community extended support to the Consular Team and requested that the consular outreach services be done every year, not only in the City of Parma but also in the City of Dayton as well.  They expressed their appreciation for the services and assistance rendered by the Consulate. END 

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