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RP opens five more embassies

[ manilastandardtoday.com ] July 6, 2008
By Michael Caber

The Foreign Affairs Department will open more embassies and consulate offices abroad to serve the needs of the growing number of migrant Filipino workers.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Claro Cristobal said that an embassy will be opened in Portugal, Ireland, Finland, Poland and Syria. New consulates will open in Macau, Chongqing and Chengdu in China.

Cristobal confirmed that former charge d’affaires to Iraq Willy Cuyugan will be the Philippine ambassador to Syria.

Foreign Affairs units will be set up in Baguio City, General Santos City, Cotabato City and Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Department offices in Bacolod City and Butuan have been operational since May.

Cristobal said the plan to establish more embassies and consulates is part of the objective of the department to strengthen assistance to nationals due to the growing Filipinos abroad, tap potential businesses and improve political relations and economic cooperation.

“It is basically for development purposes, especially on bilateral relations,” Cristobal said, adding that “the establishment of more embassies and consulates is already included in the approved budget of the DFA for 2008.”

Foreign Affairs undersecretary for administration Franklin Ebdalin affirmed Cristobal’s statement, saying that the new diplomatic missions are meant to strengthen the Philippines’ bilateral ties with these countries and at the same time address the consular needs of the growing number of Filipinos.

Ebdalin said the consulate in Damascus ought to be upgraded as the Syrian capital has become a transit point for Filipinos in times of crisis in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon.

Syria served as an exit point for thousands of Filipino workers fleeing the war in Lebanon in 2006.

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