21 September 2016 — A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary led by Consul General Julius D. Torres undertook a consular outreach mission in Lac La Biche county in Alberta, Canada on September 17 and 18.

The consular outreach mission was conducted in cooperation with the Duterte Volunteers of Lac La Biche, headed by Mr. Chris Walli, and the Duterte Volunteers of Edmonton, headed by Mr. Benjie Lindo. The Filipino Community organizations assisted the team in setting up the venue, the online appointment system (c/o Mr. Adrian Manalese), and pre-processing applications.

During the mission, Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi visited the consular outreach mission and met with Consul General Torres. Mayor Moghrabi praised the Filipino residents in the county for being productive members of the community and thanked Consul General Torres and his team for delivering consular services to the Filipino community of Lac La Biche county and surrounding environs.

The consular outreach mission, held at the BCM Inn in Lac La Biche town, was able to process 209 passport applications and 99 notarial services over two days. During the mission, Edmonton-based Canadian immigration consultant Ms. Marjorie Carmona-Newman also offered free consultations for Filipinos with immigration concerns.

In recognition of the considerable assistance provided by the volunteers to the Consulate team during the mission, Consul General Torres presented the Duterte Volunteers of Lac La Biche, their president, Mr. Walli, and Mr. Manalese with Certificates of Appreciation as tokens of the Consulate’s gratitude. END