18 September 2014 – Philippine Consul General Marciano R. De Borja addressed questions raised by leaders of the Filipino community during a town hall meeting to wrap up his first visit to Saipan on September 13. Most of the concerns raised during the forum related to the CW1 status of Filipino workers and requirements of the Department of Labor and Employment and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration for the deployment of Filipino workers. The Filipino Community leaders also reiterated their request for an Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) representative to visit them at least once a year so that they could renew their OWWA membership.
The Consul General also discussed their concerns and how the Philippine Consulate General in Agana intends to make up for the closure of the Consulate General in Saipan.
Consul General De Borja, along with Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy, reassured those present that the Philippine Consulate General will do its best to increase the frequency of consular missions to help reduce the problems faced by Filipinos with expired or expiring passports. They also reiterated the ongoing campaign of the Philippine Consulate General in Agana for Filipinos to be diligent and timely in the renewal of their passports.
The officers and members of the United Filipino Organizations (UFO) helped the Consulate General in conducting a successful mission to serve the consular needs of Filipinos on Saipan. The third consular mission to Saipan for 2014 was held from September 9 to 13 at the Multipurpose Center in Susupe. The fourth and last consular mission for the year is tentatively scheduled on November 13 to 17. The venue will be announced once it has been confirmed. END