Filipinos urged to bring concerns directly to consular officials at Saipan town hall

Filipinos in the CNMI are being encouraged to take advantage of a face-to-face opportunity with Philippine consular officials when a town hall meeting is held this Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Beach Garden Hotel on Saipan.

United Filipino Organization president Carlito Marquez said the meeting gives overseas Filipino workers and other community members a chance to bring their concerns directly to officials from the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, Guam.

“We are encouraging all OFWs (Overseas Foreign Workers) to come and avail the consular services being rendered by Guam Philippine Consulate General's Office on Saipan. This is your chance and time to deliver your concerns personally,” Marquez said.

The town hall is scheduled for 5:30pm Saturday and is open to Filipino community leaders and members. The Consulate said the gathering will provide updates on consular services and allow discussion of other matters affecting Filipinos in the CNMI.

Marquez said UFO often serves as a bridge between Filipinos in the CNMI and Philippine government offices but cannot itself resolve consular matters.

“The United Filipino Organization as an organization cannot directly address your consular problems and concerns instead we are just channeling and following up your inquiries to their office in Guam and in Washington, D.C.,” he said.

That makes Saturday’s meeting an opportunity for community members to raise their questions directly with consular officials.

The town hall coincides with the Philippine Consulate General’s two-day consular outreach mission to Saipan on Sept. 12 and 13. The outreach will include passport services as well as notarization, civil registry, and dual citizenship applications.

Forms and requirements for other consular services are available on the Consulate General’s official website at aganapcg.dfa.gov.ph or its mirror website at aganapcg.info.

Marquez also reminded those who already have scheduled appointments to show up as planned.

“So, please be there on time and on the date of your scheduled appointment,” he said.

Vice consul Daniella Bianca M. Villamin-Oriondo, in the consulate’s invitation, encouraged Filipino community leaders and members to attend, saying the gathering will provide a venue to raise questions and share concerns.