PH consuls, envoys map out diplomatic goals for 2012

 Consul General Medardo Macaraig joined other heads of Philippine Consulates General in the United States for a planning session for Philippine Foreign Service posts or FSPs convened by Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia Jr. at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 7 and 8.

The Washington Embassy website reported that Cuisia communicated to the consuls the priority areas identified by President Benigno S. Aquino III for the Philippine diplomatic and consular missions in the United States such as the enhancement of economic diplomacy, promoting national security, and protecting the rights of Filipinos overseas.

The meeting enumerated specific activities and targets for the goals that would serve as the FSPs’ workplan for 2012 and discussed means to enhance the delivery of consular services and the organizational efficiency and productivity of its officers and staff.

Macaraig reported to Cuisia and other consuls in the United States the situation and conditions in the CNMI between the release of the Commonwealth-only transitional worker rule and the closing date to comply with the rule.

He said that during the two-month 20-day period, consular services surged, with visa issuance for non-Filipinos the only consular service that remained average during the period.

“To explain the increase, I informed the Ambassador that most of these consular activities was to comply with the requirement of the final rule while a few were for eventual voluntary repatriation to the Philippines,” Macaraig told Saipan Tribune.

During the meeting, Macaraig also reported about current activities that will have to be implemented next year, such as the Gabay sa Negosyo and other reintegration programs and activities, registration for overseas voters for Filipinos on Tinian and Rota and other consular activities, and cultural celebrations like Independence Day.

“Of course, assistance to nationals will be high on the priority list,” added Macaraig.

The meeting also became an opportunity to share effective techniques in consular services and requirements.

“We were able to give out some of our better practices and also obtained new insights on how the other consulates perform better in some services,” he said.

A considerable amount of time, Macaraig said, was also used for economic diplomacy. Topics involving investments, trade, thrusts of the United States, how to help the Philippine economy, and other related matters were discussed.

“Cuisia was very emphatic about the need for better economic diplomacy activities in response to the instructions of President Aquino,” noted Macaraig.