08 August 2016— A team from the Embassy of the Philippines conducted a Consular Mission in Istanbul at Lazzoni Hotel, Beyoğlu, Istanbul on July 31 to August 1. The activity was conducted for its monthly consular mission, economic diplomacy activities, and the celebration of the 152nd Birth Anniversary of Apolinario Mabini and the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.
More than 150 Filipinos availed for the consular services being offered in Istanbul. The Foreign Service Post (FSP) processed 43 e-passport applications and 66 applications for Embassy ID registrations of Filipinos in Turkey, five acknowledgements, three reports of birth, three reports of marriage, received four applications of lost passports, and provided ATN services to five Filipinos. Various queries on consular matters were also addressed.
While the consular services were being rendered, the team also celebrated the 152nd Birth Anniversary of Apolinario Mabini and the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, with Prof. Angelito Manalili as speaker.
Ms. Elma Trinidad, President of the Filipino Community in Turkey said “Na-inspire po ako sa mga ipinalabas na video. Turuan po natin ang ating mga kamag-anak sa Pilipinas na huwag umasa nang umasa sa atin. Matuto rin silang maghanap-buhay. Kung ang may kapansanan ay nakakapagtrabaho, sila pa kaya na walang kapansanan. Tayong mga andito, magtira rin tayo para sa sarili natin at para makaipon.”
The team also conducted a meeting with Filipino Community leaders and student coordinators to discuss the safety and security measures discussed in the Embassy’s Advisories for Filipinos in Turkey due to the current situation, as well as actions taken by the leaders for their members.
Anti-human trafficking concerns were also raised. Ambassador Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez mentioned that after being in the Tier 2 ranking of US State Department’s Trafficking In Person’s (TIP) Report for several years, the Philippines has been upgraded to Tier 1 this year, as a direct result of efforts by the Philippine government and civil society organizations to eliminate human trafficking. Other important consular concerns were also discussed.
Ambassador Sanchez, accompanied by Mrs. Nadjefah A. Mangondaya, Acting Head of the Economic Section, met with Mr. Ömer Cihad Vardan, President of the Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board or Dış Ekonomik İlişkiler Kurulu'nun (DEIK). Also present was Mr. Volkan Yüzer, the DEIK’s Business Council Coordinator for the Asia Pacific Region.
The FSP discussed with the DEIK officials of the many opportunities between the Philippines and Turkey in terms of trades and investments and will be coordinating with the Turkish-Philippines Business Council in Istanbul.
After meeting with the DEIK officials, Ambassador Sanchez and Ms. Mangondaya visited “Road to Love”, the newly-opened event organizing office of overseas Filipino entrepreneur Rohan Legaspi in Beşiktaş, Istanbul. END
