20 July 2016 – The Philippine Consulate General in Agana led by Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy, extended much needed consular services to Filipinos in the islands of Saipan and Rota, both part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) through its fifth outreach mission for 2016 and the fourth for Saipan.

The Saipan leg was conducted from July 10 to 13 at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multipurpose Center in Susupe with a total of 462 services rendered. Meanwhile, a total of 90 consular services were extended to Filipinos on Rota during the second leg of the mission there from July 15 to 16.

Consul Glicerio D. Arago, a.h. and several community volunteers actively assisted the consular team during their mission in Saipan. For Rota, Mr. Alejandro “Ali” Badilles, coordinated the visit of the consular team from Guam and ensured a high turn-out of Filipinos who required consular services, particularly renewal of their expiring passports.

Consul Hamoy also reminded Filipino citizens who were at risk of running out of status to ensure that their children born in CNMI will have their status as natural-born Filipinos recognized by reporting their birth during the consular mission. Dependents of Filipinos on CNMI often only carry a U.S. passport, which could potentially become a problem when they repatriate to the Philippines long-term and they do not have a Philippine passport. END