PHOTO RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

23 September 2024, CANBERRA – The Philippine Embassy in Canberra successfully conducted the mobile consular mission in Brisbane, Queensland from 9 to 13 September 2024. The Embassy processed 284 passport applications, 16 civil registry/notarial documents, administered 160 who acquired their Filipino citizenship through Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 and registered 82 Filipinos as overseas voters.

The Embassy team included Consul General Aian Caringal, Ms. Maria Irene Sadang, Ms. Norain Sampao, Ms. Remedios Alcazar, and Mr. Jessie Lucas. Labor Attache’ Melissa Mendizabal and Mr. Oscar Anthony David from the Migrant Workers Office in Canberra (MWO) provided services including verification of employment contracts, issuance of overseas employment certificates and offered consultations with the Filipino workers. Honorary Consul Sheryll Gabutero of the Philippine Consulate in Brisbane and her team supported the Embassy mission.

The Embassy also conducted a Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) to the Filipino community in Brisbane and updated them of the services of the Embassy aligned with the government’s Bagong Pilipinas thrust. Newly-arrived Labor Attaché Mendizabal was introduced to the Filipino community leaders and attendees and made a presentation of their services during the event. The Filipinos were able to raise their concerns and suggestions on various issues during the meeting.

Based on the 2021 Australian census, there are over 73,000 Filipinos and Australians of Filipino descent in the State of Queensland. Regular mobile consular missions will continue to be held in Brisbane.-END