20 April 2016 - Philippine Ambassador to Rome Domingo P. Nolasco met with leaders and members of the Filipino community based in the Republic of Malta to promote overseas voting. In attendance were FILCOM President Ms. Ruzzell Faure, FOCOWIM President Ms. Mona Rogong and ENFID Country Representative Ms. Criselda Magsino. 

Ambassador Nolasco explained the procedures for the mixed automated election voting (personal or postal) being conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Rome and encouraged registered voters to cast their votes. A member of the Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG) personally delivered electoral mailing packets to specific registered voters in Malta. 

The Ambassador also introduced to the community Mr. Roger Strickland, Jr., the newly-appointed Philippine Honorary Consul to the Republic of Malta, and highlighted the important role of the Honorary Consul in enhancing Philippines-Malta relations and in bringing services closer to the community.

On April 16 to 17, the Embassy also conducted an outreach mission with the support and cooperation of Fr. Hilary Tagliafero of The Millennium Chapel, FILCOM, FOCOWIM and ENFID-Malta.  Ms. Letty Siddorn was the community coordinator for the outreach.

The outreach team (composed of the Embassy’s Consular Section, as well as POLO, OWWA and SSS representatives) led by Consul General Leila Lora-Santos processed, among others, 174 applications for ePassports, 114 authentication, 7 Reports of Birth and 16 Reports of Marriage. Consul General Lora-Santos also administered the Oath of Allegiance of two individuals who reacquired their Philippine citizenship.

POLO-OWWA rendered services for a total of 167 OFWs, with 112 contracts verified, 69 OWWA membership processed and 30 assisted with Balik-Manggagawa Online. The SSS representative serviced 115 clients respectively.

The next outreach mission is scheduled on April 23 to 24 in Naples at the San Lorenzo Maggiore, Via dei Tribunale 316. END