PHL Embassy in Ankara Conducts Last 2017 Consular Mission in Istanbul, End-VAW Program for Violence Free Community

Ankara PE’s last consular mission in Istanbul for 2017 is held in one of the city’s universities. (Photo credits: Consul Lorena Joy Banagodos)

12 December 2017 ISTANBUL — The Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Turkey conducted its last monthly consular mission in Istanbul, Turkey on December 03, providing consular services to over 205 Filipino nationals and their families. Highlights include 42 applications for e-passport renewal; 2 travel documents for overstaying nationals; 1 extension of validity of passport and release of 57 new passports. For civil registration, the Embassy attended to 8 reports of birth; 1 Report of Marriage; and 1 request for a marriage license.

The consular team received 21 requests for acknowledgment of documents, 59 applications for Certificates of Registration while 69 secured their Certificates. 17 OFWs registered for overseas voting. The Embassy still noted the deployment of workers from third countries such as Hong Kong, Dubai, Kuwait and Singapore without the proper POEA clearance. Non-resident Labor Attache Violet Illescas provided contact verification services and advice to migrant workers deployed from third countries and how to secure Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC).      

The Embassy also held an End VAW program within the consular mission and showed relevant video clips on the campaign to end violence against women, i.e., (1) El Gamma Penumbra’s end-VAW video “We Can Be Violence-Free” and (2) the launch of the Embassy’s own video clip in support of the global campaign on ending VAW, which included messages and Embassy personnels’ End VAW/Shark dance.

The Embassy highlighted its objective of raising awareness on violence and encouraging all, particularly, women to speak out against abuse. Members of the Filipino community stated that today’s women have broken traditional molds, performing as well as men in various fields but also lobbied that women should have equal access to government programs and benefits to realize their full potential. END

Consular clients exhibit their support in the campaign to End Violence Against Women during Ankara PE’s End VAW program. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Manuel Oira)

For more information, visit www.ankarape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTurkey.