23 September 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Ankara, in response to the request of the Filipino community in North Cyprus, conducted overseas voters registration and consular services to Filipinos in North Cyprus from September 13 to 14.

Since North Cyprus does not fall under the Embassy’s jurisdiction, the team was authorized by the Department of Foreign Affairs to conduct a consular mission there on humanitarian grounds, in line with Philippine Government’s goal to provide ample protection for the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas under R.A. 10022, an Act amending R.A. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.

The team was composed of Ms. Girlie R. Dinso, Administrative/Overseas Voters Alternate Administering Officer, Ms. Rowena F. Neri, Collecting Officer and Overseas Voters Registration Machine (VRM) Operator, Mr. Ceferino Angel L. Caldez, Jr., Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Officer and Consular Assistant and Ms. Jackie Lou C. Ong, Information Officer and Consular Assistant.

A total of 81 overseas registrations, 125 e-Passport applications, one passport extension, six preliminary interviews for acknowledgments of employment contracts, seven consular records and two notarial services, were processed during the two-day mobile mission held at the Altinkaya Hotel in Girne, North Cyprus.

Consular mission team leader Ms. Dinso read the message of Minister and Consul General Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. for the Filipino community in North Cyprus.

Filipino community President Mr. Wig William Gorubat on behalf of the Filipinos in North Cyprus, expressed his appreciation to the team, and to the Philippine Embassy for responding to the community’s request for a consular mission. He also expressed his hopes that consular missions be undertaken at least once every year in North Cyprus.

The event was done in with the consent of the authorities of North Cyprus. END