29 October 2013 – The Philippine Embassy in Rome, Italy, successfully conducted on October 21 a briefing and planning session with the Philippine Honorary Consular Officers in Italy.

The briefing presented a unique opportunity for active interaction between the Embassy’s officers and staff, including those of the attached agencies from agriculture and labor, and the Philippine Honorary Consular Officers in Florence (Honorary Consul General Fabio Fanfani), Reggio Calabria (Honorary Consul General Domenico Marciano), Naples (Honorary Consul Francesca Giglio), Turin (Honorary Consul Maria Grazia Cavallo), Palermo (Honorary Consul Antonino di Liberto) and Cagliari (Honorary Consul Danilo Cannas).  The Philippine Consulate General in Milan was likewise officially represented in the briefing by Vice Consul Helen Sayo.

Ambassador Reyes in his remarks informed all Honorary Consular Officers that they are part of “Team Philippines” in Italy, highlighting the need to ensure compliance with the “One Country Team Approach.”  He called on them to work with the Embassy in a consultative, cooperative and coordinated manner in the pursuit of national development goals, within the context of the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy.

Special Agriculture Representative Lupiño Lazaro, Jr. and Labor Attaché Viveca Catalig also presented on the national priorities and policies of the government in the agriculture, labor and migration sectors.

During the planning session, the Honorary Consuls General and Consuls and their support staff were briefed on, among others, their respective functions, responsibilities and prohibitions as Honorary Consular Officers.

The daylong session allowed Embassy officers to discuss specific topics with the Honorary Consular Officers concerning the Filipino community and other matters in connection with their function.

Team Philippines-Italy likewise finalized a coordinated and detailed Work Plan for 2014 which details the team’s economic and cultural diplomacy plans and other community outreach projects for the following year.  END