17 July 2014 - The Philippine Government recently appointed Mr. Santiago Cuadra as the new Honorary Consul in Montevideo, Uruguay.  Mr. Cuadra took his oath of office before Philippine Ambassador to Argentina Ma. Amelita C. Aquino on July 14 at the Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires.  

Mr. Cuadra is a business management IT specialist who is currently working as an executive for GeniaGeo, a bio-molecular company, and a consultant for a business advisory firm in Montevideo. He has a profound affinity with the Philippines and aims to bring the concept of Gawad Kalinga to his home country.  Mr. Cuadra, together with his wife, has volunteered for Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines.   

In his brief meeting with Ambassador Aquino, Mr. Cuadra assured her that he will promote Philippine interests in Uruguay and ensure that the rights and well-being of all Filipinos under his area of jurisdiction are protected.

While there are only a few Filipinos living in Uruguay, the constant presence of Filipino seafarers seeking immediate consular and Assistance-To-Nationals (ATN) attention in the port of Montevideo necessitated the establishment of an Honorary Consulate in the Uruguayan capital.  Prior to the establishment of the Honorary Consulate in Montevideo, all consular transactions and ATN assistance were coursed through the Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires which has jurisdiction over Uruguay.  END