REMARKS BY

HON. ENRIQUE A. MANALO

SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

AT THE

REGIONAL CONSULTATION MEETING WITH PHILIPPINE HONORARY CONSULAR OFFICERS(EUROPE)

Philippine Ambassadors, 

Officers and staff of Philippine honorary consular offices in Europe, 

Colleagues in the DFA Home Office and Foreign Service Posts, 

Distinguished guests, 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

I am pleased to welcome you all to this year’s Regional Consultation Meeting, or RCM, among Philippine honorary consular officers in Europe. 

Back in 2012, the Department of Foreign Affairs conducted a highly successful in-person Regional Consultation Meeting with Philippine honorary consular officers from Asia Pacific, and Middle East and African Regions. Ten years later, we reconvened a virtual consultation meeting with honorary consular officers from the Middle East and Africa on 24 November 2022, to discuss how post-pandemic realities are transforming our strategies and work programs. 

The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led the Department to make significant changes – one of which is the expansion of our network of honorary consular officers. Europe has the most number of Philippine Honorary Consular Officers. Currently, there are sixty-three (63) Philippine honorary consular offices in the European continent and we expect this number to grow. 

The theme of this year’s RCM1 reflects the important role of honorary consular officers in providing information and support for the effective delivery of services on the ground. This Conference aims to tap the wealth of practical experience and knowledge you have accumulated over the years, as well as to review how we collaborate and support each other in achieving our goals and targets. 

"Philippine Honorary Consuls: First Responders at a time of Global Challenges"

I am grateful to the Human Resources Management Office for organizing this Regional Consultation Meeting, and to the resource speakers for taking part in this endeavor. 

Finally, I wish to congratulate our long-serving honorary consular officers for their exemplary performance and contributions. I also welcome our newly commissioned officers and wish them well in their new positions. I thank you all for your dedicated service to the Philippines and the Filipino people. 

Mabuhay!