1 September 2014 - Around 250 to 300 Filipinos working and living in the small Pacific island of Yap, situated between Guam and Palau, availed of the first consular outreach provided by the Philippine Consulate General in Agana from August 24 to 26 following the closure of the Embassy in Koror, Palau in 2012. Previous attempts by the Consulate General to send a consular mission to Yap were scuttled due to infrequent and often overbooked flights, as well as inclement weather.

Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy led the five-person team, which included Messrs. Francisco C. Magno for passport applications and Emmanuel N. Garcia for other consular services and voters registration, Ms. Maelani P. Revilla for civil registration and notarials, and Collecting Officer Emerita G. Marquez.

The consular team was able to process a total of 128 e-Passport, along with two reports of marriage and one report of birth. A total of 92 voters also registered for the elections in 2016. The consular team was assisted in their mission by Pinoys sa Yap Acting President Willy Banua and members Mr. Ric Gerard Alcantara, Ms. Francy Segui and Ms. Lynette Roldan.

During the mission, Consul Hamoy was also able to call on the Yap State Governor Sebastian L. Anefal, who expressed appreciation for the many contributions that the Filipinos on the island have provided for the community. Filipinos are the largest expatriate group on Yap, many of whom work as doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, construction workers, with a few having started their own small and medium businesses, such as restaurants and beauty salons.

Consul Hamoy also asked Governor Anefal on the possibility of a Filipino telecommunications company investing in the telecommunications infrastructure of the island. Governor Anefal informed Consul Hamoy that legislation is already being proposed in the national legislature of the Federated States of Micronesia that will open up the telecommunications sector to foreign companies.  END