Saturday, May 2, 2009 [ May 3, 2009 ]
[sunstar.com.ph ]
By Nancy R. Cudis
TO provide consular services to a growing number of German citizens in the country, Germany re-opened its honorary consulate office in Cebu after 100 years.
The German Government appointed long-time Cebu resident Dr. Franz Seidenschwarz, a botanist who teaches at the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, honorary consul.
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“We are proud to re-establish our presence in this historic and dynamic city. The new consul will promote business, cultural, and scientific activities in Cebu. And Dr. Seidenschwarz is the right man at the right place,” said Ambassador Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch,.
Weber-Lortsch said the first honorary consul of Germany based in Cebu was appointed in 1871 but “disappeared” in 1910. Since then, Germany opted to close the honorary consulate.
The ambassador said the re-opening of the honorary consulate office—now located at Ford’s Inn Hotel on A.S. Fortuna St. in Banilad, Cebu City—“signifies the fact that the German (resident and business) community in the Philippines is growing and prospering.”
In Cebu alone, there are more than 300 German citizens. More than 100 German companies—including furniture manufacturer and exporter Dedon and transportation company Ha-pag-Lloyd Philippines Inc., as well as other small and medium enterprises—continue to engage in furniture, shipping and tourism businesses in Cebu.
Weber-Lortsch said the new office also underscores Germany’s long-term commitment to the Philippines.
After handing over the official appointment documents to the new honorary consul last Wednesday at Casino Espanol, Weber-Lortsch and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia unveiled the official signboard of the consular office.
Seidenschwarz has been named “adopted son” by the Provincial Government in 1997 in recognition of his work in the conservation of Cebu’s remaining forests.
In an interview, he said he plans to accomplish his primary task as a contact point for German citizens on any legal, business and cultural issues.
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