08 July 2015 – In seeking to maximize the presence of an Embassy mission to Istanbul, the Philippine Embassy in Ankara conducted various missions under the mandate of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to promote the three pillars: national security, assistance to nationals, economic diplomacy.  On June 27, upon arrival, Philippine Minister Robert Ferrer and Attaché Jose Aguilera registered a total of 33 seafarers at Tuzla Port aboard four vessels namely, Yara Gerda, Winterset, Mare Transporter and Desert Peace. 

On June 28, the regular monthly Consular Mission was held at the office of the Hatay Businessmen and Bureaucrats Association (HATIAB). The team processed 17 e-Passport applications, four acknowledgment, three reports of birth, two certifications, two special power of attorney, one translation, one affidavit, one report of marriage, and one travel document. Thirty five (35) overseas voters (OV) registration applications, and two other OV applications were facilitated during the day.  Nine Assistance-To-Nationals (ATN) and consular cases were brought to the attention of Consul General Ferrer. 

During the consular mission, posters of ‘Visit Philippines 2015’ and ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ were displayed at the entrance of the building where the mission was held. 

In the evening, Consul General Ferrer, on behalf of the Embassy and Ambassador Maria Rowena Sanchez hosted a dinner for Ms. Carmen Martin, President of Filipino Community in Istanbul (FCI) and Ms. Elma Trinidad, President of the Filipino Community in Turkey (FCT) in appreciation for their unwavering support to the Post and its activities and in recognition of their continued assistance to Filipinos in Istanbul.

The following day, Minister Ferrer and Mr. Aguilera visited the Istanbul Naval Museum, Turkey’s largest maritime museum, to check on antique Ottoman navigational maps in support to Philippines’ claims on the West Philippines Sea issue. Meanwhile, Mrs. Neri and Mrs. Ong proceeded to Istanbul’s famous Spice Bazaar to give out samples of Philippine dried mango and banana chip snacks to two big stores that sell dried fruits namely, Hazir Baba and Malatya Pazari.

Finally, the Embassy team met with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Foreign Relations Deputy Director Mr. Fahri Murat Tuncay to discuss the expansion of areas of cooperation between the Embassy and the City of Istanbul. END