11 March 2016 - The Philippine Consulate General in Milan led by Consul General Marichu Mauro held a dialogue with the Filipino community in Trieste and the surrounding areas in northeast Italy on March 06. The forum was the very first organized dialogue with the community since the establishment of the Consulate in 1995.

The conduct of overseas voting led the agenda of the dialogue. Updates on Consular Regulations and Services as well as the Consulate’s proposed projects for the year were also discussed. Newly-arrived Welfare Officer and Acting Labor Attaché Ms. Jocelyn Hapal presented the proposed Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) projects specifically targeted for Trieste and updates on services. Social Security System (SSS). A representative of Pag-IBIG also updated the community on their respective services and new regulations.

Consul General Mauro encouraged everyone present to exercise their right to vote, which will be conducted from April 09 to May 09 through a Mixed Mode of Voting, which was explained in the briefing as the option to either vote personally at the Consulate’s offices or by mail.

Projects for the Filipino community this year including the Consulate’s efforts to bring relevant information about laws and regulations that affect Filipinos’ work and living conditions were also presented. Finally, various questions fielded by the Filipino community were addressed by the panel.

Consul General Mauro also inducted the officers of the newly-established association, Associazione Italo-Filippina Trieste led by its President, Mr. Joel Ceredon.

A consular outreach mission was also conducted on the same day.

The consular outreach mission and the dialogue with overseas Filipino voters are part of the Consulate’s advocacy to bring itself closer to the Filipino community. END