14 October 2014 – The Philippine Permanent Mission/Consulate General in Geneva, led by Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong and Consul General Enrico T. Fos, conducted a consular outreach in Lausanne in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland on September 20, at Majong Restaurant, a Filipino hub in the City.
The consular services included passport issuance, report of birth, notarial services and dual citizenship. The Consulate General likewise conducted overseas voters registration for the 2016 national elections. The Office of the Labor Attaché took care of explaining the programs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Social Security System and Pag-IBIG for overseas Filipinos.
The consular outreach was held in partnership with the Filipino Swiss Vaud Association (FILSVA), the primary Filipino organization in Lausanne, under the leadership of its President, Ms. Marichu Blum.
The Filipinos conveyed their deep thanks to the Philippine Consulate General in Geneva for bringing its services to Lausanne. They noted that the last consular outreach by the Consulate General in the Canton of Vaud was over five years ago. They also appreciated the one–on-one consultations with Ambassador Rebong and the consular officers, during which they were able to discuss their individual concerns.
Majong Restaurant is an Asian Restaurant owned and managed by Filipino-Swiss Alfredo Franco.
The following day, Ambassador Rebong and First Secretary and Consul Raffy Hermoso held a dialogue with a group of Filipinos in Geneva who belong to the Christian Church Fellowship International (CCFI). CCFI is a Filipino religious group based under the direction of Pastor Romeo Matutina.
Ambassador Rebong explained the Consulate General’s programs and services offered to the Filipinos in Geneva. A lively Q and A followed the Ambassador’s presentation.
Overseas voters registration was also conducted during the event.
In its effort to bring the Government’s services closer to the Filipino community in areas under its jurisdiction, the Philippine Permanent Mission/Consulate General has scheduled regular dialogues with the community. A Financial Education Seminar was conducted on October 05 and an Open House is scheduled on October 26. END