28 October 2005 – Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez of the Philippine Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy has embarked on program aimed at presenting and promoting the range of services and assistance provided by the Philippine Government – through the Philippine Embassy – to Filipinos in Brunei.

Ambassador Benavidez said that she has begun a series of lectures explaining to Filipinos the role of Philippine Foreign Service Posts abroad, the three key Pillars of Philippine foreign policy – especially the third Pillar on the protection and promotion of the welfare of Filipino nationals, and the function and services that are of great interest to Filipinos abroad.

The Ambassador also said that she discussed the various problems usually encountered by the Embassy’s Consular, Assistance-to-Nationals, Labor and Welfare offices, and the corresponding actions and measures undertaken to resolve the problems, including the amount of financial assistance given by the Philippine Government.

Ambassador Benavidez likewise invites Filipinos in the community who were not able to register as Overseas Absentee Voters in the registration two years ago to do so now to enable them to participate in the May 2007 national elections.

The Ambassador assured the Filipino community that the Embassy in Brunei is always open to assist them, and always projects the vital roles the Filipinos play in uplifting the image, reputation, talent and creativity of the Philippines as the home of world-class workers.

Ambassador Benavidez held the lectures for members of Filipino groups on 5 and 13 October 2005.  She also spoke to participants of the Basic Orientation Course for Overseas Filipino Workers held at the Embassy Chancery on 16 October 2005, and to the Filipino community in Kuala Belait on 23 October 2005.  She will be speaking to the Filipino community in the Tutong district on 29 October 2005.  END