13 January 2006—The Philippine Consulate General in Guam reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that as part of the program to reach out to Filipinos under its jurisdiction, the Consulate brought mobile consular services to Filipinos living and working in Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia from 08 to 14 December 2005.

Consul General Teresita Mendiola said the mobile consular team was composed of Vice Consul Kerwin Orville C. Tate as team leader and Consular officials Ms. Silveria E. Lopez-De Leon and Ms. Juliet Oresca as members.

The team traveled to Yap State  to bring consular services to Filipinos as well as conduct registration under the Overseas Absentee Voting program.  Throughout its stay, the team met with various individuals, discussing their needs, as well as attended a general meeting of the United Filipino Association of Yap (UFAY) led by its president, Mr. Nestorio Roderno.  During the meeting, many of the Filipinos' concerns were addressed such as OFW benefits and security.

The team also met with Yap Government officials namely Governor Robert Ruecho, Senator Anthony Tareg and Yap Chief of Police Mr. Frank Ramngen.   They discussed the measures to further enhance the working and living conditions of Filipinos in Yap State.

At the end of the mission, the team had processed 20 passports, registered the births of 5 children born abroad, and registered 110 overseas voters.  The Filipino population of Yap is less than 300 persons, Consul General Mendiola said.    She stressed that the team earned the goodwill and gratitude from the Filipinos in the State of Yap. END