28 December 2005 -- The Philippine Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that in its efforts to bring services closer to Filipino in its jurisdiction,  the Embassy conducted an overseas absentee voting field registration in Maseru, in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho from 09 to 12 December 2005.

The OAV Team of three (3) Embassy personnel led by Charge d’ Affaires, a.i. (CDA) Oscar Orcine traveled by land for seven (7) hours and carried out the registration process at the Machabeng International College in Maseru through the courtesy and hospitality of the school administration and, particularly with support of the OFW staff members, working in the college.

CDA Orcine said the Embassy team, processed the applications of 129 Filipinos who trooped to the college for OAV registration, another three (3) came for OAV certification and two (2) for transfer of registration record during the course of two days on the 10th and 11th December 2005. The first day started at 9:00 A.M. and lasted until 12:00 midnight, while the second day began at 9:00 A.M. and ended at 10:00 P.M.

Before the registration process, CDA Orcine took advantage of the time given him at the annual Christmas party of the Filipino Association in Lesotho (FAL) held in the evening of 09 December 2005, at the Lesotho Sun Hotel to make a short presentation on the mechanics of COMELEC registration.

It was the first time that an OAV activity was ever undertaken in this land-locked kingdom in southern Africa. Some Filipinos were unable to register because they had left the country for their scheduled vacation in the Philippines. The OAV team of CDA Orcine and Misses Helen Firnne-Subido (Focal Person) and Cynthia Tecson-Ricaplaza (DCM Operator), however, strongly urged the officers and members of the Filipino Association n Lesotho (FAL) to disseminate information to all Filipinos residing or working in Lesotho that they can still register as Overseas Absentee Voter until 31 August 2006, when they come to visit the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria.

The presence of OAV team in Maseru was welcomed heartily by all the Filipinos who expressed the wish that the Embassy should schedule regular visits to them if at all possible, so that they could have a platform for interaction and exchange of information about the thrusts and objectives of the Philippine Government vis-à-vis the overseas Filipino workers.

The OAV team also entertained consular queries, including counseling on issues and concerns on SSS, POEA. OWWA, Philhealth, LTO, trade and export, etc;  and received 24 applications for passport renewal and Embassy ID/registration certificates, report of marriage, birth and authentication to be properly processed at the Embassy in Pretoria. END
 
 
 
 
 

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