As the Philippine Embassy continues to reach out to the Filipino communities in New Zealand and in the Pacific countries under its jurisdiction, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez headed the Philippine delegation to the United Nations Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as well as led the Philippine Embassy Mobile Consular Team composed of Minister and Consul General Arlene Gonzales-Macaisa and Cultural Attaché Ma. Victoria Reyes in conducting Mobile Consular Services for the benefit of Filipinos in Samoa on 01-04 September 2014. Called “The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand: Serving with a Smile, Going the Extra Mile and Reaching Beyond Our Grasp” mobile consular services, Filipinos in Apia, Samoa availed of e-passports, notarial documentation, dual citizenship acquisition and registration of births and marriages services as well Overseas Voting Registration.

The Filipino community members in Samoa reiterated their deep gratitude to the Philippine Government through the Philippine Embassy for rendering the much needed and sought after consular services right where they are residing and working. The first applicant, Mr. Reynaldo Buluran, Jr., conveyed his appreciation to the Philippine Embassy for the excellent service given by the Mobile Consular Team. Several Filipinos also gave very positive and highly appreciative feedback to the Philippine Embassy for this continuing excellent and timely service which saves them a lot of money, time, days off and resources as it would be extremely costly, inconvenient and difficult if they had travel all the way to New Zealand from Samoa.

Filipinos continue to grow in number in Samoa and are making their mark in their respective work as civil, mechanical and structural engineers, IT experts, production supervisors, mechanics, technicians, electricians, machinists, jewellery makers, seamstresses and tailors.

Ambassador Benavidez and the Mobile Consular Team also joined and interacted with several members the Filipino community in Apia, Samoa in a Fellowship Night on 04 September 2013. In her remarks, Ambassador Benavidez thanked the Filipino community for the warm welcome they provided the Team. She commended Mrs. Elita Aloaina for her excellent work with the Filipino community as well as reiterated the Philippine Embassy’s deep appreciation to Ms. Olivia J. Quintos, Ms. Ruby M. Arevalo and Ms. Judy G. de Guzman and other Filipinos who ably assisted the Philippine Embassy Mobile Consular Team in ensuring a successful and productive outreach mission in Samoa. Ambassador Benavidez shared with the Filipino community the deep appreciation of the leaders and people of Samoa for the valuable contributions, positive work ethics and distinctive talents and services of Filipinos in various fields.

The Philippine Deputy Permanent Representative to the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York, Atty. Irene Susan Natividad, who was part of the Philippine Delegation to the SIDS International Conference, also attended the dinner and fellowship evening with the Filipino community in Samoa.