Diocese adds voice to clamor for retention of PH consulate

The Diocese of Chalan Kanoa on Thursday asked the Philippine government to reconsider its plan to close down the Philippine Consulate General on Saipan this year due to budgetary constraints, recommending instead the downsizing of the consular office to continue protecting the welfare of Filipino workers in the CNMI.

Fr. Ryan P. Jimenez, apostolic administrator for the diocese, wrote to President Benigno S. Aquino III to make his appeal on behalf of the thousands of Filipinos and their families in the 13 parishes on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Jimenez said the diocese is with the Filipino community in saying that the Philippine Consulate General on Saipan should “continue its presence in ensuring the rights, interests, and the protection of” Filipinos who live and work in the CNMI.

Estimated at over 8,000, Filipino workers in the Commonwealth “comprise the majority of the islands’ workforce,” he added.

According to Jimenez, the Filipino community in the CNMI is “concerned and disconcerted” by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ decision to consolidate foreign service posts in the Pacific “at a precarious time” when Filipino workers are confronted by challenges affecting their livelihood and welfare.

The Philippine Consulate General on Saipan announced on Feb. 9 the plan to shut down its office and transfer its responsibilities to Guam. The exact date of the transfer has yet to be announced.

The consulate, Jimenez said, has played a significant role in the lives of Filipino workers in the Commonwealth for about 23 years since it opened on April 3, 1989.

“Aside from providing the customary consular services, the Philippine Consulate has looked after the general welfare of the islands’ Filipino citizens by providing representation and being their voice in the local community on issues that affect theirs and their families’ everyday life,” he said.

Jimenez cited Public Law 110-229 or the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which was signed on May 8, 2008, and implemented on Nov. 28, 2009, placing CNMI immigration under federal control, as one reason to retain the services of the Consulate.

Under the federalization law, the CNMI Department of Labor-issued “umbrella” or work permits for nonresident workers were phased out and replaced with the Commonwealth-only transitional worker status for the duration of the transition period, which ends in Dec. 31, 2014.

“While the eventuality exists that the Northern Marianas’ migrant worker program will be gone in a few years, it is still imperative and critical at this time to protect the interest and well-being of the islands’ Filipino community through official government representation, which only the Philippine Consulate can provide,” said Jimenez.

He noted that the consulate is “a constant reminder” of the longstanding commitment of the Philippine government to ensure that its citizens and their rights and interests are protected and upheld, especially when they are under threat.

He added that the consulate’s presence is significant in the case of Emerita “Emie” R. Romero, the Godfather’s bartender “who was mercilessly killed by a still unknown assailant” last month.

“While local and federal law enforcement are working to find Ms. Romero’s assailant, vigilance in pursuing that justice is served and carried out may be achieved through ample representation by the Philippine Consulate,” said Jimenez.

As an alternative, Jimenez recommended that DFA consider downsizing the consulate, which has about 10 staff at present.

“This way, the Philippine government can still continue to protect the livelihoods and wellbeing of its more than 8,000 migrant workers and Philippine citizens on Saipan, Tinian and Rota,” concluded Jimenez.

United Filipino Organization president Bong Malasarte welcomed the diocese’s position on the issue, saying it will help them make their case in encouraging more Filipinos to sign their petition.

UFO, the umbrella organization of some 30 groups in the CNMI, launched last month a signature campaign seeking to retain the services of the Consulate.

“With Fr. Ryan’s letter, we are hopeful that DFA will listen in our clamor to have the Philippine Consulate remain open and continue serving the Filipinos in the CNMI,” Malasarte told Saipan Tribune.

Malasarte revealed that they have now gathered some 3,000 signatures, majority of which are from Saipan. He said they collected about 340 signatures on Tinian and 200 on Rota with the help of community leaders Francis Esguerra and Ali Badilles, respectively.

According to Malasarte, they aim to have at least 4,000 or half of the estimated 8,000 Filipino workers in the Commonwealth support the signature campaign efforts, expected to wrap up on March 9.

“We are optimistic that we will reach our target since we have already distributed our petition forms to several establishments such as hotels and stores,” he added.

Malasarte emphasized that the UFO is spearheading the signature campaign not for its benefit but for the entire Filipino community.

“We are not doing this to become popular or because we want to take credit for anything, contrary to what others think. Our efforts are aimed at helping all Filipinos who need the services of the consulate. As Filipinos, we should all work together instead of bringing people down,” he said.

Malasarte said the signatures will be accompanied by a letter that reflects the sentiments of the Filipino community as a whole before they are sent to Manila.

Those who want to sign the petition may contact Paul Madriaga at 287-4501.