SFA-AGR-154-08

RP CONGEN IN OSAKA UNDERTAKES OUTREACH PROGRAM IN FUKUOKA  AND PAYS COURTESY CALL ON GOVERNOR ASO

13 March 2008 – The Philippine Consulate General in Osaka conducted a Consular Outreach Mission to Fukuoka City in the Fukuoka Prefecture on 09 March 2008 to offer various consular services to the Filipino community in Kyushu Island.

Consul General Maria Lourdes Ramiro Lopez led officers and staff of the consulate in serving 150 applicants gathered at the Daimyo Catholic Church which was organized by the Filipinos and Friends in Fukuoka. The team processed and released 97 passport renewal applications, and 43 applications for other consular services.

Ambassador Lopez also paid a courtesy call on Honorable Wataru Aso, Governor of the Fukuoka Prefecture and President of the National Governors Association of Japan. She requested for the continued cooperation of the Fukuoka Prefectural Government in the Consulate General’s efforts to promote the Philippines as a destination for business expansion by Fukuoka–based companies. Fukuoka Prefecture has a strong industrial base engaged in information technology, automobile manufacturing, steel production, the sciences and robotics, and Japanese SME’s supplying major industries which are ideal locators in the country’s special economic zones.   

Governor Aso intimated that many Japanese have limited information about the Philippines, except for some news reports that paint a negative image of the country. However, he stated that the Consulate General’s efforts, and the recent visit of PEZA Director General Lilia De Lima, provided the leaders of the Fukuoka business community with a different picture, which makes Mr. Aso confident that economic relations between Fukuoka and the Philippines could be further enhanced.

The Consul General pointed out that the Philippines is a vibrant democracy where freedom of speech is guaranteed. It was made clear that most of the negative reports are isolated incidents that do not have impact on the country’s economic activity, and that the Philippines is generally peaceful and orderly.

Ambassador Lopez extended an invitation for Governor Aso to visit the Philippines to familiarize himself on what the country has to offer in tourism, investment and trade.

The courtesy call ended with an exchange of traditional gifts and mutual assurances of continued cooperation for the strengthening of relations between Fukuoka and the Philippines. END.

wingret