PH Consulate General in Vancouver Hosts 2018 Annual Consular Conference and Economic Diplomacy Workshop

VANCOUVER 11 December 2018 – As part of capacity building and knowledge sharing, Philippine diplomats in Canada attended the 2018 Consular Consultations and Economic Diplomacy Workshop held in Vancouver on 01-02 December 2018. 

Led by Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia, the participants gathered to be briefed on the latest consular policies and economic developments as they impact on their work plans and mandate; share best practices in the delivery of consular and assistance-to-nationals services, discuss related challenges and issues faced by the posts, and be informed of the 2019 work plans and priorities of the Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, and Tourism, as guide for the economic diplomacy programs of the posts.

Also present were the different service attaches and representatives of Philippine government agencies based in Canada and the United States, the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Halifax, as well as the concerned officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.

Held annually, the hosting rotates among the four Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Canada – Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver.

As host of this year’s annual meetings, Consul General Maria Andrelita S. Austria welcomed all the visiting delegations to Vancouver and looked forward to meaningful and productive discussions. END

For more information, visit www.vancouverpcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.vancouverpcg.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PHinVancouver

The heads of delegations pose with their respective members at the start of the second day of the two-day conference. Seated, from left are Consul General in Vancouver Maria Andrelita S. Austria, Assistant Secretary Maria Lumen B. Isleta of the DFA-Office of American Affairs, Ambassador to Ottawa Petronila P. Garcia, Consul General in Calgary Gilberto Asuque, and Deputy Consul General in Toronto Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez. Joining Assistant Secretary Isleta, from Manila, is former Consul General to Vancouver Neil Frank R. Ferrer, who is now Assistant Secretary at the Office of Consular Affairs. (Vancouver PCG photo)