05 November 2014 - In line with the Philippine Embassy’s continuing priority to engage with the Filipino community throughout New Zealand, Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez and Philippine Honorary Consul General Paulo Garcia organized Legal Orientation Seminars to promote greater understanding and knowledge of New Zealand’s laws, procedures and requirements to Filipinos in their stay, work, study and integration in the country.
The Philippine Embassy in Wellington and the office of the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Auckland held recently Legal Orientation Seminars for Filipinos in Christchurch and Dunedin following the success of the five Legal Orientation Seminars for Filipinos in Auckland and Wellington in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Similar to previous seminars, these provided Filipinos with useful, relevant and up-to-date information on New Zealand legal procedures including immigration, wills, enduring powers of attorney, trusts, relationship property, dealing with the police and courts, settlement support services and programs for ethnic communities. The seminars provided a good opportunity to interact with the speakers to address concerns and issues for more effective settlement and better integration in New Zealand.
The Canterbury Philippines Assistance Group (CPAG), led by Mr. Alfie Alojado, Jr., Ms. Agnes Abuel Guda, Mr. Serge Ruiz, Mr. Ronald Manalili, Mr. Ron Villaseñor, Mr. Ronnie Guevarra and other officers and members, organized the first Legal Orientation Seminar with Philippine Consul General Garcia as the main speaker on September 14 at the Every Nation Church Hall at Riccarton, Christchurch. The significant occasion started with one-on-one sessions with Consul General Garcia, who is also the first Filipino barrister and solicitor licensed to practice as a director/partner in a New Zealand law firm.
In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Benavidez reiterated the importance of being informed of the laws in New Zealand where an increasing number of Filipinos are working and residing..
The Dunedin Philippine Club, Inc., with its President, Ms. Marilou Guangco Scott, and Ms. Simona Nacua, spearheaded the holding of the Legal Orientation Seminar on October 18 at the Dunedin Central Community Link.
An enlightening open forum and interactive session between participants and Honorary Consul General Paulo Garcia followed.
Ambassador Benavidez and Honorary Consul General Garcia thanked the organizers and the participants for their invaluable assistance, support and cooperation in mounting the Orientation Seminars, mobile consular services and other programs that aim to upgrade the knowledge and skills of the Filipino community on areas that matter most to them and bring the Embassy’s services more closely and directly to more than 40,350 Filipinos in New Zealand.
Participants to the Legal Orientation Seminars in Christchurch and Dunedin reiterated their deep appreciation to the Philippine officials for the highly successful and very informative events. With the positive feedback and recurring requests from the participants and other Filipinos, similar events will be organized in other parts in the North and South Islands in cooperation with Filipino organizations and groups.
To date, the Philippine Embassy in Wellington and the office of the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Auckland have conducted six Legal Orientation Seminars for the benefit and well-being of the members of the Filipino community in the North and South Islands. END