Dubai, 6 April 2004 – In making her historic visit to this Northern Emirate city, Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today opened the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai in the presence of a large crowd of Filipinos who have long waited for this day to arrive.

Secretary Albert, who proceeded to Dubai this afternoon after calling on Foreign Minister Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi in the capital, Abu Dhabi, and later with Labor Minister Mattar Humaid Al Tayer, told the Filipinos that “the Department of Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the responsiveness of her administration to the needs of overseas Filipinos, have made this historic occasion possible.”

The establishment of a Philippine consulate general in Dubai has been considered a priority undertaking by the Department of Foreign Affairs because of the presence of an estimated 100,000 Filipinos in the city and the Northern Emirates. Dubai is also the economic and commercial capital of the UAE.  As the transshipment zone in the Gulf region, it is considered a great venue for the promotion of trade, tourism and culture.

Secretary Albert said that the establishment of the consulate is a fitting tribute to the overseas Filipino workers in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. “Now that we have a consulate, our 83rd foreign mission and the second consulate general of the Philippines in the Middle East, let us further strengthen the bonds that have kept us working closely together,” she added.

The Secretary also assured the Filipinos in the UAE of the Philippine government’s continuing support for their welfare and the promotion of their interests.

“As you continue to serve our nation by working in Dubai, your welfare is always foremost in the minds of our leaders. This is why I have proposed to the officials of the host government that both our countries should start regular consultations to enhance the protection and welfare of Filipino workers in the UAE,” she said.

The Secretary also informed the Filipinos that she met with the members of the Philippine Business Council in Abu Dhabi and with the officials of the chamber of commerce and industry of Dubai to generate investments, which will create more jobs, improve livelihood and increase family income. “We recognize overseas Filipinos as a vital component of our national life.  You, the 175,000 Filipinos in the UAE, are part of the community of 8 million Filipinos, the network of Filipinos all over the world who contribute to our country’s development,” she
remarked.

During her meeting with the Filipino community, Secretary Albert introduced the incoming Consul General to Dubai, Minister Generoso Calonge, a career officer who was formerly assigned at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.  She expressed confidence on Consul General Calonge whom she said “will be able to promote the interests of our country and people in this new Post, which is home to thousands of our countrymen and is the financial and business hub in the Gulf region.”

The Secretary also took the opportunity to remind the Filipinos in Dubai of their civic duty to participate in the coming elections in May. “I wish to remind you of your civic duty to vote, to stand up and be counted in the coming polls. Your participation in this historic political exercise, where for the first time overseas Filipinos will be allowed to vote and select their national leaders, will have a lasting effect on the future of our children and our country,” Secretary Albert said. END.