06 May 2016 - Philippine Ambassador to Italy and Non-Resident Ambassador to Albania Domingo P. Nolasco met with the members of the Filipino community in Tirana, Albania to check the Filipinos’ condition and to promote overseas voting on May 02.

Ambassador Nolasco explained the mode of voting being implemented 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 and collected the official sealed ballot envelopes.

Ambassador Nolasco introduced to the Filipino community Mr. Loritan Prespa, the newly-appointed Philippine Honorary Consul in Albania. He underscored that the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Albania strengthens the presence of the Philippines in Albania thereby opening opportunities for the two countries to cooperate. He further explained that the establishment of the Philippine Consulate in Tirana will facilitate the delivery of consular services to the Filipinos based in the country.

The Embassy, with the support of the Filipino Community of Tirana, Albania (FCOTA), also conducted a consular outreach on the same day. The team composed of Vice Consul Candy Cypres and Ms. Bernice Catherine Santayana processed Passport Extension, Report of Birth, Report of Marriage and Authentication. Vice Consul Cypres administered the oath of allegiance to Ms. Shirley Kurti who reacquired her Philippine citizenship.

Mr. Hector Cruz, Embassy’s Welfare Officer and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) – Officer-in-Charge, also joined the outreach mission to assess the welfare and working conditions of the Filipinos in Tirana. END