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US state dep’t elevates Phil. Consulate’s status
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Posted on Feb 21 2001
The State Department in Washington has approved to elevate the status of the Philippine Consular Office in the Northern Marianas to that of a Consulate General.
Consul General Julia Heidemann disclosed yesterday that the recent approval of the status elevation of the consular office allowed the Philippines to climb another step of a diplomatic level at par with other US territories and states.
With this, Ms. Heidemann explained the State Department noted the highest level of representation of Philippine government to other consular agencies.
In fact, among other consular offices in the Commonwealth that applied for the elevation of status, only the application of the Philippine Consulate was approved by the state department.
The consular office was officially notified of its elevated status in December 2000.
With the new status, Ms. Heidemann the consulate will be able to improve other areas that will benefit Filipino workers, trade matters and entrepreneurship.
“This is a landmark for the consulate, we will be able to help not only OFWs but the entire Filipino community,” the consul general stressed.
Apart from improvements on the administrative area of the consular office, Ms. Heidemann said investment opportunities for OFWs like fishing projects will be carefully mapped out.
Last year, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs approved the recommendations of the Consulate here to apply for an elevated status, which the State Department approved with no apparent objection.
However, the consul general said the official declaration of the new status of the consular office will be on March 1, to give the consulate ample time to finish other administrative matters.
She said the new status gives the consular office a new cloth of immunity, adding that Filipinos will be represented properly and other matters involving OFW issues will be properly addressed.
This year, the Consulate General hopes to improve programs that will benefit thousands of OFWs in the Commonwealth. (EGA)
