26 October 2023, CANBERRA – The Philippine Embassy in Canberra deployed a mobile consular and assistance to nationals (ATN) mapping mission to the Republic of Vanuatu on 19 to 22 October 2023.

The mission led by Consul General Aian Caringal is the first ever mobile consular mission in Vanuatu. There are an estimated 354 Filipinos in the country. The mission extended services on passport renewal, dual citizenship, visa issuance, civil registry and overseas voting registration. Other members of the team included ATN Officer Ms. Remedios Alcazar and Consular Assistant Mr. Rodrigo Gavino.

The Philippine Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Canberra, represented in the mission by Officer-in-charge, Mr. Oscar Anthony David, provided services including verification of employment contracts, issuance of overseas employment certificates and offered consultations with the Filipino workers.

The Embassy also conducted an engagement with the Filipino community to update them of the services of the Embassy, the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers which is represented by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) at Post, and the strengthened bilateral relations with Vanuatu. Consul General Caringal commended the community led by Honorary Consul General Florentino ‘Bong’ Serrano and wife, Ms. Marylin Serrano, for their excellent representation in the country that gained positive feedback from government officials. Over 200 Filipinos attended the community engagement. -END-