Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez, together with Minister and Consul Giovanni Palec, Consul-General Marcos Punsalang, Ms. Levy Strang, Ms. Ofelia Coralde and Ms. Mary Bel Garcia conducted the first ever mobile consular services for the benefit of the members of the Filipino community and their families in Christchurch, New Zealand on 12-14 January 2012. Called “The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand: Serving with a Smile, Going the Extra Mile and Reaching Beyond Our Grasp” mobile consular services, a total of two hundred eighty-nine (289) Filipinos availed of the consular services covering passport renewal/issuance, authentication/notarials, NBI fingerprinting and dual citizenship acquisition. Christchurch is New Zealand’s second largest manufacturing center and home to nearly 5,000 Filipinos in various professions and work categories. Mr. Alfie Alojado and the members of the Alpha Phi Omega Aoteroa, Ms. Mae Ramirez, Ms. Agnes Gooda, Ms. Claudine Fatima Martin and Mr. Admiral Lazo who assisted in the arrangements to hold the mobile consular services at the Aspire Canterbury Hall, in the city of Christchurch.
The Filipino community members were unanimous in reiterating their deep gratitude to the Philippine Government through the Philippine Embassy for rendering the much needed and sought after consular services right where they are residing and working. For them, this marked improvement in the delivery of more effective and efficient services is a historic first in New Zealand and highlighted our Government’s priority and concern for their welfare and well-being as well as a distinct recognition of the vital roles and contributions of the global Filipinos to nation-building in the Philippines and New Zealand. The first Filipino who availed of the mobile consular service for the renewal of his passport is Mr. Julius E. Sun who works as a Sterile Services Technician at the Christchurch Hospital and has been staying in New Zealand for the past four years. The Filipino community members said that the first mobile consular service is certainly a big help for them and their families and they expressed the hope that this will be a regular service for the benefit of many Filipinos in Christchurch. It may be recalled that Christchurch suffered much from the devastating earthquakes that hit the city on 22 February 2011. For the Filipinos there, the Embassy’s mobile consular service becomes even more urgent, timely, convenient and necessary as this has saved them a big amount of travelling funds and time off from work for their trips to Wellington. Ambassador Benavidez stressed that the Embassy will always be there for them 24/7 as protecting and advancing the interests of overseas Filipinos make up one of the three key pillars of Philippine foreign policy.
Ambassador Benavidez also met with the leaders of the Filipino community in Christchurch who agreed to be the main coordinators and support groups for the Embassy’s contingency plan and disaster preparedness program and first responders team in the different zones, assist in the campaign for the on-site overseas absentee voting registration and updating of the database on the number of Filipinos, conduct Filipino language and cultural heritage classes for the Filipino children and youth, help address the shortage of classrooms in the Philippines through donations, continue contributions for the victims of typhoon “Sendong” and support tourism, economic and cultural diplomacy priorities of the Embassy. In response to their queries on the continuation of OWWA contributions, visa arrangements, details on the various Filipino organizations and associations and the directory of local community multi-cultural councils, ethnic affairs offices, support and settlement groups and other agencies involved in migrants’ concerns and issues, the Embassy will incorporate the relevant information, procedures, contact details and lists that are deemed important and useful for Filipinos especially those who have just arrived in New Zealand as workers or visitors in the Embassy’s website.
In line with the Embassy’s objective to broaden its networking and linkages with the local authorities and officials of agencies who assist the Filipino community and resolve issues and concerns regarding their stay and work in Christchurch, Ambassador Benavidez met Mr. Rex Gibson and Mr. Kevin Park, Manager and Community Liaison Manager, respectively, of the Christchurch Migrants Centre, Mr. Wengkei Chen, Treasurer of Christchurch Multi-Cultural Council and the Past President of the Federation of Multi-Cultural Councils, Mr. Wayne Reid, Health Partnership Christchurch, Ms. Delia Richards, Ms. Evelyn Petrie, Ms. Wainona Bolton, members of the Christchurch Multi-Cultural Council and Mr. Ahmed Tani of the Canterbury Refugee Council. Discussions focused on the various programs and help lines they are implementing to look after the welfare and interests of migrants and refugees in general and of Filipinos in particular. These cover settlement advice, service coordination, cultural support, information, assistance and orientation. In behalf of the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community, Ambassador Benavidez conveyed her deep appreciation and commendation to the Christchurch Migrants Centre for their invaluable assistance and vital support and highlighted the importance of the continuing partnership and collaboration between the Embassy and the Centre to help make a distinctive and positive difference in people’s lives.
Ambassador Benavidez likewise met with Mr. Duncan Sandeman, Manager-Civic and International Relations and Mr. Melinda Peris of the Christchurch City Council who gave an overview of the activities lined up for the memorial service for the victims and families of those affected by the earthquake which hit Christchurch on 22 February 2011 and the current state of the buildings and future plans and sites for the city. Ambassador Benavidez also called on Superintendent Gary Knowles, Canterbury Police District Commander, Inspector Derek Erasmus, Sergeant John Baines and Constable Li’Ying Cai to reiterate the Philippine Government’s deep appreciation for their assistance, support, advice and liaison services extended to the families of the Filipino victims of last year’s earthquake.
Philippine Honorary Consul Peter Wait and his wife, Sally Wait hosted a dinner at their home for Ambassador Benavidez, Minister Giovanni Palec, Consul-General Marcos Punsalang, Honorary Consul of Denmark Dr. Jorgen Schousboe and Dr. Mona Schousboe.