19 May 2006 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a  Philippine team delivered consular services to the Filipino-American community in New Hampshire on 13 May 2006.

The consular team, headed by Deputy Consul General Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek with the assistance of Consul Millicent Cruz-Paredes and several consulate staff, processed applications for passport, issued visas, legalized documents and also accepted applications for dual citizenship and overseas absentee voting.

Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong said those who applied for dual citizenship took their Oaths of Allegiance, en masse, before Deputy Consul General Thomeczek.  (Please refer to the accompanying photo release on this subject matter.)

The Consul General added that other Filipinos decided against registering for the OAV because “of the long drive between New Hampshire and New York City” when the time comes for them to actually cast their votes.  “This brings to fore once again the need for the Commission on Elections to consider allowing voting by mail in the U.S. and other posts where the postal system is proven to be reliable and efficient,” Consul General Rebong added.

The consular team also used the occasion to promote the Philippine property roadshow on 30 and 31 May 2006 in New York City, and the 2nd Ambassadors and Consuls' General Tour of the Philippines in July 2006.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York organized the consular outreach to New Hampshire in coordination with the Filipino-American Friendship Society headed by Ms. Josie Janz.    Deputy Consul General Thomeczek inducted Ms. Janz and her co-officers into office during the one-day event.

The Philippine consular outreach to New Hampshire was part of the Consulate’s efforts to being its services closer to the community, especially in areas that were seldom, if at all, reached by the consulate in the past.   The outreach program also complement's the Philippine Government's efforts to increase the number of registrants for overseas absentee voting in preparation for the May 2007 elections.  (Please refer to the accompanying photo release on this subject matter. 1,2) END