CANBERRA, Australia (5 September 2023) – The Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra completed a five day mobile consular mission in Brisbane, Queensland from 28 August to 1 September 2023.

The mobile consular team processed 327 passport applications, provided notarial and civil registry services to 24 applicants, and administered the oath of allegiance to 122 Filipinos, including 13 minor children, who reacquired or retained their Filipino citizenship through Republic Act No 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003. 207 Filipinos availed of registration services for overseas voting for the 2025 national elections.

Based on the 2021 Australian census, there are over 73,000 Filipinos and Australians of Filipino descent in the State of Queensland. The Embassy has been holding annual consular missions in Brisbane, except in 2020, when travel restrictions were in place due to the pandemic.

The Embassy team was composed of Consul General Aian Caringal, Mr. Rodrigo Gavino, Ms. Leonora De Ramos, and Mr. Jessie Lucas. Defense and Armed Forces Attachè (DAFA) Col. Alexander Gigantone and Assistant DAFA Col. Paul Anthony Aviquivil provided support to the conduct of the mission. Migrant Workers Office-Canberra OIC Mr. Oscar David facilitated contract verification services to 11 OFWs and provided post-arrival orientation seminar (PAOS) to 24 workers based in Queensland.

The Embassy worked with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Brisbane led by Consul Sheryll Gabutero to ensure an organized and productive consular mission. - END