WhatsApp Community Channel Launch Takes Centerstage in Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Barcelona
BARCELONA 19 June 2025 — Filipinos in Barcelona will now get more connected as the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona officially activated the “Consulado de Filipinas Community Channel on WhatsApp, as yet another innovative tool for faster, more direct, and convenient communication with the Filipino community, during the celebration of the 127th anniversary of the Philippine independence on 15 June 2025.
In response to the growing demand for timely information, the Consulate has implemented the Community Channel to ensure that Filipinos in the region have immediate access to advisories, emergency notifications, essential consular services, updates, as well as important Filipino community events.
“It is like a supergroup chat on WhatsApp where thousands of Filipinos can be a member, but without the trouble of the members’ details being known to others,” said Consulate’s ATN Officer Loremie Bautista and Consular Assistant Keiichi Fulcher during the launch. “The platform was carefully reviewed by the Consulate to ensure the privacy and security of all members. Only the Consulate hotline number and the administrators' contact details are publicly available, ensuring the protection of personal information of the members,” they added.
The Consulado de Filipinas Community Channel attracted 200 members joining on the first day. The Consulate expects that the platform will continue to grow, especially given that 92.2 percent of people residing in Spain use WhatsApp, making it an ideal tool for outreach and communication.
The Community Channel also serves as a vital Assistance to Nationals (ATN) tool and is designed to complement existing consular services, offering a faster and more accessible method of information delivery. The WhatsApp channel will be particularly useful during emergency situations, such as the DANA Flooding in Valencia in October 2024, ensuring that Filipino nationals in Spain receive crucial updates and support in a timely manner.
“With this platform, we aim to streamline consular outreach and provide a more efficient and convenient way for the Filipino community to stay connected with the Consulate. We also hope to maximize its use and encourage more Filipinos to join, as it will significantly enhance our ability to assist and serve them”, said Consul General Maria Theresa SM Lazaro.
The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona encourages all Filipino nationals residing in the Spanish regions of Catalonia, Aragon, Baleares and Comunidad Valencia, as well as in the Principality of Andorra to join the WhatsApp community channel and take full advantage of this new service. This is a step forward in improving communication and support for the Filipino community, particularly during times of crisis and need. END
Assistance-to-Nationals Officer Loremie O. Bautista and Consular Assistant/Security Officer Keiichi L. Fulcher introduce the benefits and security of the platform during the launching of the Consulado de Filipinas Community Channel
Filipino Community joining the Community Channel by scanning the QR codes publicly posted at the Consulate premises
QR Code Membership Registration - Consulado ng Filipinas Community Channel
For more information,visit https://barcelonapcg.dfa.gov.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBarcelona/.