News from PHL Embassies, Consulates & Missions

Luxembourg Government to Initiate Microfinance Projects in RP

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 14:47
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12 January 2010 - The Philippine Embassy in Brussels reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Luxembourg will undertake two microfinance projects in the Philippines to support the government's efforts to alleviate poverty and pursue development programs that would highly benefit poor Filipino households and microenterprises.

This was the result of the farewell meeting of Philippine Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Communities Cristina G. Ortega with Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Mr. Paul Duhr on 9 December 2009.

The first project is to be handled by the Microfinance Transparency, an American nongovernmental organization (NGO), which involves the conduct of a survey of the microfinance market in the Philippines.

The second one is a training/consultation program with selected Philippine non-government organizations (NGOs), to be handled by the Agence de Transferie Financiere (ATTF), a Luxembourg-based NGO.

Luxembourg considers these two projects as having the greatest potential to impact the Philippine microfinance industry on a wider scale.

"This is a timely follow up to the meeting of Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister Jean Asselborn with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo in Manila in 2008.  This only shows that our relations with Luxembourg are only getting stronger," Ambassador Ortega said.

It is anticipated that Luxembourg will soon be sending its commitment to undertake the proposed projects through official channels.  After the commitment, preparations for implementation of the projects can start.  END


 

Sweden Installs First Filipino Parish Priest

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 14:45
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12 January 2010 - For the first time, a Filipino Roman Catholic cleric to have the distinct honor and privilege of heading a Swedish parish.

Philippine Ambassador to Sweden Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Father Gabriel Baldostamon has been installed as Parish Priest of the Saint Nicolai Church in Linköping, Sweden last January 10.

The ceremonial investiture of Father Baldostamon was officiated by Monsignor Mirojan Dudek during a well-attended Sunday mass celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ.  The mass was co-celebrated by Father John Mc Cormode and Deacon Karl- Erijk Jarerot.

During lunch which followed the mass, Saint Nicolai parishioners congratulated Father Baldostamon and assured him of their support.

Speaking on behalf of the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community, Ambassador Collinson expressed pride at the historical first and stated confidence in Father Baldostamon's ability to renew and strengthen the Catholic faith, particularly in the context of increasing secularism in Europe.

Father Baldostamon hails from Marbel, South Catobato and has been serving the Filipino community in Sweden for several years.

As head of the Saint Nicolai parish, he will be attending to the spiritual needs and pastoral formation of the entire Swedish Roman Catholic community in Linköping with about 2,500 registered members. END


 
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