31 July 2015 - Consistent with its initiatives to bring its services closer to Filipinos in the Cantons of Geneva and Vaud, the Philippine Consulate General in Geneva once again opened its doors on July 26 to Filipinos under its jurisdiction so they can avail of its consular and other services on a weekend.
Dubbed “PCG ko, Bukas ng Linggo,” this consular outreach program also gives the Filipino community in Geneva and Vaud the opportunity to register for the 2016 Philippine Presidential Elections.
There was a significant increase in the number of Filipinos who availed of the dual citizenship in the Consulate, with a total of 38 individual applications received and approved from January to June 2015.
“We welcome this as a positive indication of ourkababayan’s strong confidence in the Philippines’ growing economic performance,” said Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission to the UN and Other International Organizations.“We welcome this as a positive indication of our kababayan’s strong confidence in the Philippines’ growing economic performance,” said Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission to the UN and Other International Organizations.
The Philippine Consulate General also provides special sessions during the consular outreach program. Last Sunday, it offered a one-on-one consultation with the Ambassador and/or the Consul General – on questions they may have regarding consular services (passports, authentication, citizenship, overseas voting, OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG services, among others).
"We remain strongly committed to ensure that every Filipino within our jurisdiction will be able to avail of our services and programs, including the opportunity to register and exercise their right to vote come may 2016," Philippine Consul General Enrico T. Fos said. "We will also continue to explore other possible options to ensure that our services reach them and promote Philippine interests and services for the benefit of the Filipino people," he added.
The Philippine Consulate General registered more than 1,000 overseas voters during this registration period. There is an estimated number of 6,000 Filipinos in the Cantons of Geneva and Vaud. END