Over 1.3K signatures seek retention of PH consulate on Saipan

Over 1,300 Filipinos have already signed the petition that seeks to keep the Philippine Consulate General open on Saipan.

The petition was circulated at Sunday’s first ever Pusong Pinoy event held at the Civic Center in Susupe and hosted by the United Filipino Organization, which also spearheaded the signature campaign.

“We need to let the Philippine government know that we here in the Marianas need the services of the Consulate,” UFO stated in the petition.

Fe Villanueva, who has been on island for two decades, said it is important to keep the Philippine diplomatic post on Saipan open.

“Should we need help, the Consulate is there for us. What will happen to us when they close down? Where are we going to seek assistance?” asked Villanueva of Dandan.

Chalan Kanoa resident Tely Gutierrez, for her part, said the Consulate has been providing assistance in terms of applicable laws to the Filipino community in the CNMI.

“They explain these laws to us so we can have better understanding and we’ll know what to do. If they leave, we won’t have anybody to turn to for help,” said Gutierrez, a house worker who has been on Saipan for six years.

Bert Bandoja, who works at the Pacific Marine and Industrial Corp., said the Consulate has been of significant help for many Filipinos in the Commonwealth.

“If they transfer their responsibilities to Guam, then they will be too far for the Filipinos in the CNMI. How are we going to renew our passports or avail of other services they offer?” asked Bandoja, who has been on island since 1987.

Fr. Ryan P. Jimenez said in an interview at his office that the Filipino community needs the Philippine Consulate General now more than ever because of the transition period for all foreign workers in the Commonwealth due to federalization.

“I’ve seen the services they have provided through the years that I’ve been here in the CNMI and I can say that the services of the Consulate for the Filipino community is very critical,” said Jimenez, who has been on the islands since 1995.

Jimenez, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, said he is personally saddened because he sees Consul General Medardo Macaraig and his family go to church regularly. His children also attend Mount Carmel School.

Jimenez said that behind this decision to close down the consulate “are real lives of real people” who will be affected by its closure.

“I know that in the end, it will be the Philippine government that will decide but at least we’ll be able to show them that we value the services of the consulate through every signature that they will see in that petition,” he added.

A total of 1,322 signatures were affixed in the petition as of 8pm last night, and more signatures are expected from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, according to UFO president Bong Malasarte.

He emphasized that the signature campaign is not just the efforts of the organization but of the entire Filipino community.

“The overwhelming support for the petition just goes to show the significance of our Consulate for the Filipino community in the CNMI,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Malasarte noted that the number of signatures still does not reflect those that will be coming from Tinian and Rota. He said the petition, which is also being circulated by Filipino leaders on those two islands, transcends group association and religion.

Malasarte urged Filipinos who have yet to sign the petition to do so as they will be passing it around until the end of February before they send it to the office of the Philippine president and vice president as well as the DFA office.

“We are calling on all our kababayans to support this petition so we can make the government realize that we need the services of our consulate here,” he said.