PH Consulate General in Shanghai Raises Filipino Concerns at ASEAN Missions’ Dialogue with Foreign Affairs Office on Lockdown

Philippine Consulate General to Shanghai Josel Ignacio joins ASEAN Consuls General in Dialogue with the Foreign Affairs Office. (Shanghai PCG photo)

SHANGHAI 26 April 2022 —  The Philippine Consulate General raised key lockdown concerns affecting Philippinenationals in Shanghai at the 20 April virtual dialogue convened by the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) with the Consuls General of ASEAN missions in the city.

Deputy Director General Fu Jihong presided, reporting that Shanghai as “getting closer” to its goal of dynamic case clearing, even as the situation remained “complex”.

Among the Heads of Mission, Consul General Josel F. Ignacio was the first to speak and conveyed a number of requests, as follows: to give prompt notification of the Consulate General of COVID19-positive Filipinos due, including those taken, or due to be taken, to quarantine; to bring COVID-positive Filipinos only to facilities that meet international hygiene, sanitation and water standards, and that assure Filipinos of decent care; to further easing of restrictions on food stores and delivery services for improved access to food and essentials; to give relaxation of lockdown restrictions on Consulates and diplomats to allow performance of key mandates and assistance to nationals; and to gradual re-opening of businesses and enterprises, where safe and possible, to end income disruption.

Consul General Ignacio acknowledged the strenuous efforts of the Shanghai government to contain the ongoing epidemic and steer the city back to normalcy. He thanked the FAO for its active cooperation with the Consulate General on lockdown issues and matters of crucial to the welfare of Philippine nationals.

The Consuls General of Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam seconded many of the points raised by the Philippines. The FAO affirmed its commitment to working with consular missions toward joint problem solving. END

For more information, visit http://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/.