As the Philippine Embassy continues its mobile consular services for the third year for Filipinos in New Zealand, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez led the Philippine Embassy Mobile Consular Team composed of Vice-Consul Glenn Joseph Obach, Ms. Ma. Victoria Reyes, Ms. Rosalyn Fajardo, Ms. Ofelia Coralde and Ms. Monette Garcia in conducting the second series of mobile consular services for 2014 for the benefit of Filipinos in Christchurc and the surrounding areas of the South Island in New Zealand on 13-17 February 2014. Called “The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand: Serving with a Smile, Going the Extra Mile and Reaching Beyond Our Grasp” mobile consular services, 630 Filipinos from Christchurch, Ashburton, Queenstown, Darfield, Dipton, Waimate, Rakaia, Gore, Oamaru, Hornby, Clinton, Balclutha, Invercargill, Calverden, Otautau, Papanui, Greymouth, Winton, Nelson, Timaru, Milford Sounds, Central Otago, Geraldine and surrounding areas availed of e-passports processing, notarial documentation and report of births and marriages and dual citizenship services. This is the 29th mobile consular mission conducted by the Philippine Embassy since October 2011. To date, a total of 8,968 Filipinos comprising more than 20% of the 40,350 members of the Filipino community have benefitted from this first ever mobile consular service throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

The Filipino community members in Christchurch and other parts of the South Island 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. Lloyd Lubos who works in Otautau as a dairy farm worker conveyed his appreciation to the Philippine Embassy for “a well facilitated activity and courteous staff and the consular mission is helpful to all Filipino migrant workers in New Zealand.” Several Filipinos from the different cities and towns also gave very positive and highly appreciative feedback for this continuing excellent and timely service which saves them a lot of money, time, days off and resources as it would have been extremely costly, inconvenient and difficult if they had to go all the way to Wellington. “Excellent service, helpful staff who can answer all my questions, friendly, well done and keep up the good work” were among the written feedback given by the Filipinos. The Philippine Embassy has always shared with the Filipino community the Philippine Government’s priority and concern for their welfare and well-being as the third major pillar of Philippine foreign policy. “In recognition of the vital roles and crucial contributions of the global Filipinos to nation-building in the Philippines and New Zealand, the Philippine Embassy will continue to reach out to them through our mobile consular services and dialogue, demonstrate its caring and sharing spirit and bring the Embassy’s services closer to about 40,350 Filipinos here,” Ambassador Benavidez stated.

Ambassador Benavidez thanked Mr. Jonathan Madeira, Mr. Alfie Alojado, Jr., Mr. Sam Bruzo and Mr. Serge Ruiz for the invaluable assistance and exemplary cooperation extended to the Philippine Embassy Mobile Consular Team which contributed to a successful and productive consular outreach mission in Christchurch.