05 September 2005 – The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the presence of a considerable number of Filipinos and the expected arrival of a large number of Filipinos in the upcoming months in the island-group of New Caledonia sees the need to establish official presence in the French Territory to monitor and look after the workers’ consular needs, develop regular government contacts and promote tourism.

“The Consulate General is currently identifying prospects where the Philippines can explore and develop fruitful relations with the Territory. Several talks between the top government officials between the Philippines and New Caledonia will prove to be beneficial,” Consul General Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.

In her recently concluded a four-day consular visit to New Caledonia, Consul General Lazaro met with government officials, company executives and the Filipino community.

She met with the High Commissioner H.E. Daniel Constantin,  Head of Government President Marie-Noelle Themereau, Congress President Harold Martin, Minister of Foreign Relations and French National Assembly Member Pierre Frogier, Noumea Mayor Jean Leques and other government officials. They looked forward to the arrival of some 600 Filipino workers by the end of the year who are set to work in a nickel mining  project managed by INCO GORO, a Canadian mining firm. They assured the Consul General that the rights and  well-being of the Filipino workers will be taken care of.

The Consul General also met with several INCO GORO executives who were also anticipating the Filipino workers' arrival. She was also interviewed by radio and the Island's only daily, Les Nouvelles Caledonielles.

A meeting was also set between the Consul General and the 60-strong Filipino community made up of entrepreneurs, seafarers, chefs and restaurateurs and paid a visit to a crew of Filipino seafarers working for a submarine cable ship. The meeting brought about a productive exchange   of   Information   on   Dual   Citizenship, Overseas Voting and improvements on consular services. She congratulated the community for efforts and encouraged them to further highlight their profile as an active community.

New Caledonia, with Noumea as capital, is a 12-island autonomous territory under France located roughly 3 hours flight east-northeast of Sydney. It is also known, aside from its tourist spots, as the third largest nickel-producing area as 25 percent of the world’s known nickel resource is found here. END