Consulate General of the Philippines Frankfurt

Consul General Garcia Highlights Stronger Philippine Presence in Southern Germany as She Ends Tour of Duty

22 September 2021- Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia, who will end her tour of duty next month, hosted several receptions where she highlighted stronger Philippine presence in Southern Germany since she led the re-opening of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt  in September 2018.

Among the several farewell receptions she hosted were for the Women and ASEAN Consuls General and Heads of Southeast Asian Consulates in Frankfurt last 15 and 21 September 2021, respectively.

Consul General -Garcia expressed appreciation to the women Consuls General of France, Ireland, Greece, Mexico, Morocco, Georgia, and Sri Lanka, who provided support to several of Consulate’s projects and activities, including cultural and gender and development events. She also took the opportunity to introduce them to officers of the International Women’s Club Frankfurt, who were also present during the event, for possible collaboration in the future.

During the reception with the ASEAN Consuls General, the Consul General urged them to establish prominent presence in Southern Germany through joint activities to promote the region’s economic and cultural interests. The Consuls General of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam as well as the Honorary Consul of Cambodia expressed their support to the proposal and pledged to intensify cooperation in the coming year.

Farewell dinners were also organized in Stuttgart (13 August), Bonn (27 August), Munich (10 September), and Frankfurt (19 September) for selected members of the Filipino community. During these events, she  apprised those in attendance of the Consulate’s accomplishments since its re-opening in 2018 and thanked them for their vital collaboration. The events in Stuttgart, Bonn and Munich coincided with Post’s consular outreach missions in the area, while the event in Frankfurt was held following the regular Sunday Mass at the St. Ignatius Church and  in coordination with the Filipino Catholic Community of Bistum Limburg. END

Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt Brings Consular Services, Promotes Philippine Arts in Bavaria

13 September 2021- The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt held its third consular outreach mission this year in Munich, Bavaria on 11 September 2021. The 9-member consular team, led by Vice Consul Mueller, rendered 173 consular services including passport renewal, legalization of documents and civil registry. Moreover, 58 registered as overseas voters and 26 were provided one-on-one consultations by Assistant Labor Attaché Delia Palomar from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Berlin, who also participated in the event to provide information and extend the services of POLO and OWWA. The occasion provided an opportunity as well for Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia to bid farewell to the Filipino community in the State of Bavaria.

To coincide with the consular mission, the Consulate also conducted an art exhibition featuring the cubism-inspired artwork of Cebu-based artists and relatives Vidal Alcoseba and Darby Vincent Alcoseba, who won the 2013 Metrobank Foundation Art Grand Prize.  The mini-exhibition, which was held in coordination with FamilyOffice Inc., a Filipino-German art, philanthropic and capital venture firm, was warmly welcomed by the Filipino-German attendees.

There are approximately 5,100 Filipinos living in Bavaria, primarily composed of healthcare and I.T. professionals, students and spouses of German nationals. END

PCG FRANKFURT BRINGS CONSULAR SERVICES TO BONN

Bonn, 1 September 2021 – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt held its second consular outreach mission for the year with an outreach activity held at St. Winfried Church in Bonn last August 28. Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. led the outreach team in providing passport, authentication, civil registry and other consular services. Mr. Rene Mangune, from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) satellite office in Frankfurt participated in the event to provide information and extend the services of POLO and OWWA.
Members of the Filipino-German community in North Rhine-Westphalia and nearby areas trooped to St. Winfried Church to avail of consular services. A total of 129 consular services were rendered during the event while 40 applicants registered for the Overseas Voting. Based on the latest regional statistical reports, there are approximately 4,750 Filipinos living in North Rhine-Westphalia, the second largest number of Filipino residents in Germany after Bavaria.
Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia joined the visit to Bonn to oversee the outreach operations and meet with leaders of the Filipino-German community to thank them for their support as she concludes her tour of duty in Germany next month.
The outreach event was made possible through the assistance of Father Rodel Liguid of the Filipino Chaplaincy in Bonn, Filcom leader Ays Espiritu and the volunteers from the Filipino-German community. The Consulate General will hold the next consular outreach activity in Munich, Bavaria to bring consular services closer to the Filipino-German community amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic. (END)

PCG Frankfurt Brings Consular Services to Bonn

Bonn, 1 September 2021 –    The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt held its second consular outreach mission for the year with an outreach activity held at St. Winfried Church in Bonn last August 28. Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. led the outreach team in providing passport, authentication, civil registry and other consular services. Mr. Rene Mangune, from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) satellite office in Frankfurt participated in the event to provide information and extend the services of POLO and OWWA.

Applicants for civil registration, Overseas Voting and POLO-OWWA services wait for their turn to be served during the consular outreach mission in St. Winfried Church last August 28.

Consulate personnel provide instructions to the parents of a minor applicant during the taking of the biometrics for the passport application.

Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia provides instructions to Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. to ensure the smooth flow of applicants during the outreach event in Bonn.

Members of the Filipino-German community in North Rhine-Westphalia and nearby areas trooped to St. Winfried Church to avail of consular services.  A total of 129 consular services were rendered during the event while 40 applicants registered for the Overseas Voting. Based on the latest regional statistical reports, there are approximately 4,750 Filipinos living in North Rhine-Westphalia, the second largest number of Filipino residents in Germany after Bavaria.

Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia joined the visit to Bonn to oversee the outreach operations and meet with leaders of the Filipino-German community to thank them for their support as she concludes her tour of duty in Germany next month.

The outreach event was made possible through the assistance of Father Rodel Liguid of the Filipino Chaplaincy in Bonn, Filcom leader Ays Espiritu and the volunteers from the Filipino-German community. The Consulate General will hold the next consular outreach activity in Munich, Bavaria to bring consular services closer to the Filipino-German community amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic. (END)

Consul General poses with Mr. Ays Espiritu and other volunteers who assisted the Consulate outreach team.

PCG Frankfurt Resumes Consular Outreach Missions

Consulate personnel led by Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. process applications for passport, authentication and civil registration during the consular outreach mission in Amber Hotel Leonberg last August 14.

Leonberg, 14 August 2021 –    The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt resumed its mobile consular services with an outreach activity held at Amber Hotel Leonberg last August 14. Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. led the outreach team in providing passport, authentication, civil registry and other consular services. Assistant Labor Attaché Delia Palomar from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Berlin participated in the event to provide information and extend the services of POLO and OWWA. The consular event was made possible through assistance of Honorary Consul Axel Neumahr and Ms. Rhoda Steegmaier of the Philippine Consulate in Stuttgart.

Applicants wait for their turn to be served in the waiting area while observing health protocols and physical distancing.

 

Assistant Labor Attaché Delia Palomar provides information on POLO-OWWA services to two Filipino nurses. Beside her is Mr. Ramonchito Picar, Vice President of the Filipino Nurses Community.

Members of the Filipino-German community in Baden-Württemberg and nearby areas took advantage of the outreach mission in Leonberg to avail of consular services.  A total of 111 consular services were rendered during the event while 36 applicants registered for the Overseas Voting. Based on the latest regional statistical reports, there are approximately 4,425 Filipinos living in Baden-Württemberg, the third largest number of Filipino residents in Germany. The Consulate General has scheduled a series of consular outreach missions until the end of 2021 to bring consular services closer to the members of the Filipino-German community. (END)

Press Release on PH Agencies Present Opportunities for OFWs Affected by the Pandemic in Frankfurt PCG Webinar

Shown in the photo above are (from left to right, top row) Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez, Atty. Delmer Cruz of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Berlin, Mr. Jerome Bunyi of the Office of the Agricultural Attaché in Brussels, (from left to right, bottom row) Mr. Edwin Pasahol of the Bureau of Small & Medium Enterprise Development-DTI and Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia.

23 November 2020, Frankfurt – In collaboration with representatives of key Philippine government agencies, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt conducted its latest webinar last 21 November focusing on business opportunities for overseas Filipinos, including those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

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FRANKFURT PCG HOLDS WEBINAR ON POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG SERVICES

Atty. Delmer Cruz, Labor Attaché, POLO (topleft), Ms. Sylvia Gabriel, Welfare Officer, OWWA (top right), Ms. Mary Jessielyn Sia, SSS Representative (bottom left) and Ms. Mylene Lontoc-Pintor, Pag-IBIG Representative (bottom right) served as resource speakers during the Consulate’s webinar on POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG Services.

26 October 2020, Frankfurt – The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt conducted last 24 October a webinar on POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG Services. The webinar is the third online event of the Consulate for members of the Filipino-German community in its jurisdiction.

In her welcome remarks, Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia extended her warmest greetings to the resource speakers and participants for spending their Saturday morning to participate in the webinar. She noted that the coronavirus has affected Filipinos everywhere especially the Overseas Filipino Workers. For those who have decided to weather the pandemic in Germany, the Consulate is committed to supporting and assisting our kababayans, Consul General Austria-Garcia underscored.

Consul General Austria-Garcia added that a seminar on the same topic was initially planned to be held last June as part of the Consulate’s Barrio Fiesta event for the annual commemoration of Philippine Independence but was cancelled due to the German Government’s Covid-19 restrictions. Last year’s seminar was held on-site at the newly-opened office of the Consulate in Frankfurt.

Pictured above are Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia (above) and Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. (below), as they participate in the Consulate’s webinar.

Representatives from POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG served as the resource speakers. Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz discussed the mandate of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). As the operating unit of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) abroad, the POLO is guided by its twin objectives of implementing the country’s labor policies and programs to facilitate employment and protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Filipinos working abroad. He discussed POLO’s special programs to help OFWs cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and provided tips to OFWs who intend to travel to the Philippines for vacation.

Ms. Sylvia Gabriel, Welfare Officer, delivered a presentation on the various services offered by OWWA to its members. She encouraged OFWs in Germany to register or update their membership with the OWWA to ensure full coverage and assistance. She also spoke about OWWA’s reintegration program and collaboration with other government agencies to provide livelihood assistance to returning OFWs especially those displaced by the pandemic. Both the POLO and OWWA are located in the Philippine Embassy in Berlin.

The presentation on SSS services was delivered by Ms. Mary Jessielyn Sia of the SSS Representative Office in Milan, Italy. Ms. Sia expounded on the contributions, benefits and loans for overseas Filipinos in the country’s pension fund and its efforts to make services more accessible through online platforms. Members can now apply for loans through the My.SSS Portal and pay their contributions through the online payment facility of Rewire, Ms. Sia added. With seven benefits available to members, contributions to the SSS should be seen as long-term savings and not an expense, she said.

The fourth speaker of the webinar was Ms. Mylene Lontoc-Pintor, Member Services Officer of the Pag-IBIG Fund Overseas Post in Milan, Italy. She informed everyone that Pag-IBIG is offering promo rates for regular housing loans until the end of the year. She endeavored to correct the view that the Pag-IBIG Fund is solely for housing loans. Ms. Lontoc-Pintor said that Pag-IBIG provides an excellent investment opportunity through its Regular Savings and MP2 program which offered significantly higher dividends at 6.73% and 7.23%, respectively, in 2019. Through the Virtual Pag-IBIG, application for membership, loans and records check as well as payment of contributions are now easier, added Ms. Lontoc-Pintor.

The webinar was capped with a question-and-answer session, as viewers were able to post their questions through the FB’s comments section.  The activity was held via Zoom and simultaneously streamed live in the Consulate’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PHinFrankfurt/, where it may still be viewed by interested parties.  Eighty-three attendees viewed the live proceedings and a video recording of the webinar has been shared 43 times and seen over 3,500 times in just 24 hours.

For the months of November and December 2020, the Consulate shall be conducting a webinar on “Livelihood Programs of DTI, DOLE and DA” as well as virtual “Christmas Performance” to celebrate the upcoming holidays, respectively. (END)

NBDB HOLDS CULMINATING EVENT AT THE 2020 FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR’s DIGITAL BOOKFEST SPECIAL EDITION

October 2020 – The National Book Development Board (NBDB) held its “Frankfurter Buchmesse- All Together Now Culminating Event at the Philippine Exhibit” last 17 October, where, among other speakers, Consul General Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia delivered a message. Also participating was Vice Consul Fatima Mejilla C. Mueller, who represented the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt during the live discussion via Zoom and streamed live on NBDB and Consulate’s Facebook pages.

The Consul General congratulated NBDB and reiterated Consulate’s support in promoting and seeking new markets globally for the work of Filipino authors and Philippine publishers. She also conveyed the Consulate’s commitment to assist the Philippine delegation in the FBF as well as appreciation to Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, who also took part in the online activity, for her patronage of the country’s arts and culture through important global events such as the Book Fair.

NBDB Chair Dante Ang delivered the welcome remarks and apprised viewers of the Board’s efforts and achievements in support of the Philippine publishing industry. He expressed optimism as well that with the switch to e-books and e-commerce, the local publishing industry will increase its sales and continue to grow.

In her remarks, Deputy Speaker Legarda, a staunched advocate of the Philippine participation in the FBF, expressed her continued support to the Philippine publishing industry through “additional funding or in her personal capacity so wider global markets may be reached.” She also reiterated the Philippines’ aspiration to obtain the Country Guest of Honor status in the Fair in the next few years. For his part, Congressman Christopher de Venecia, a convenor of the Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Bloc of the 18th Congress, underscored “the role of books in creativity, technology, trade, education and culture,” and encouraged the local publishing industry “to write and publish the story of the Filipino creative industries.”

Meanwhile, Ambassador Ma. Theresa de Vega recalled last year’s different sessions hosted by the Philippine delegation. She also highlighted developments in the publishing sector among ASEAN countries and expressed satisfaction on “the innovative output from the various sectors of the Philippine publishing industry, including children’s books” this year. The Ambassador hopes that “an even greater number of individuals and publishing companies will be present in the coming editions of the FBF as the Philippines continues to work to become a country of focus in the future.”

During the book launching part of the program, NBDB presented three publishers from different book genres. Mr. Paolo Herras of Komiket spoke of local comics and the expansion of the art market expansion with growing readership in order to sustain the comic art industry. He also presented the finalists for the Call for Entries for Graphic Novels for the Komiket Award for the Philippine International Comics Festival next year. Another guest publisher, Ms. Montenejo presented four titles in the Adarna House’s Batang Katutubo Series, which featured children from the different indigenous groups in the Philippines. These picture books were Gustong Mag-aral ni Sula, Ang Paaralan ni Fuwan, Bahay ng Marami’t Masasayang Tinig and Si Laleng at ang Lakbay Paaralan. Lastly, ABC EDC Publishing House presented renowned children’s book author Ms. Mary Ann Ordinario’s latest work entitled, Home is Where the Heart Lives, a story about making right choices in responding to unfortunate situations and uncertainties.

To complement the NBDB’s efforts in promoting the local publishing industry, the Consulate launched on its social media pages seven children’s e-books/videos which aim to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19. The e-books address topics, such as how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus infection and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality. These e-books are published online by Department Human and Family Development Studies (DHFDS) of the College of Human Ecology (CHE) and recommended by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. END

PHILIPPINE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS REAP GERMANY-BASED AWARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

Karlsruhe, Germany – The Philippines was among the most decorated countries in this year’s Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards & Certification Ceremony, which was held at the Achat Hotel in Karlsruhe, Germany on 30 September 2020.

The Sustainable Finance Awards honor financial institutions and related organizations with significant contributions to the field of sustainable banking and finance. The awards aim to provide recognition to financial institutions that have successfully embedded economic, social and environmental sustainability into their organizational culture and honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the field of sustainable finance, among other objectives.

Three financial institutions from the Philippines were recognized during the ceremony. The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) was presented the Award for “Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing for success in financing Solar-Powered Resilient Communities.” The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) was conferred a Certificate of Merit for “Best Innovation in Financial Services for success in Enhanced Environmental and Social Safeguards. And, the Alalay sa Kaunlaran Inc. Philippines was granted a “Sustainability Certification” by the International Council of Sustainability Standards and Certification, becoming the first Microfinance Institution to receive such a certification. Receiving the awards on behalf of the Philippine entities was Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt.

Among the dignitaries in attendance was the Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup, who extended his congratulations to the awardees. “Sustainably certified financial institutions will be guided by strategic guidelines to mobilize funds for sustainable goals, including climate protection. They provide a response to the crisis, which have serious economic and social consequences,” Mayor Mentrup said in his remarks.

Consul General Evelyn Austria-Garcia of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt echoed Lord Mayor Mentrup’s felicitations to the deserving recipients. “The accolades received by the Philippine financial institutions elevate the country’s status as an example for sustainable financing and recognizes the strides it has achieved to attain the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

Also present in the ceremony were the Berlin-based ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe, who accepted recognitions on behalf of financial institutions in their respective countries.

The EOSD is a body tasked to develop strategies, programs and initiatives, and undertake projects that contribute to the implementation of the EU Strategy for Sustainable Development. It is a strategic partner of the host city, Karlsruhe, by supporting the internationalization of local enterprises and contributing to positioning Karlsruhe internationally as a place of innovation for sustainability. EOSD also has partnerships with government institutions, related groups such as the Association of the Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific headed by Mr. Octavio Peralta of the Philippines, and key players in the financial sector to fast-track sustainable economic development and environmental protection. (END)

Deputy Consul General Emil Fernandez (second from left) receives the awards conferred to the Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines and Alalay sa Kaunlaran Inc. for “Sustainable Finance” from Mr. Tom Hoyem, Member of the City Council of Karlsruhe (second from right), Mr. Jochen Ehlgoetz, CEO of Technology Region of Karlsruhe (leftmost), and Mr. Arshad Rab, CEO of the European Organization for Sustainable Development (rightmost). (Photo from EOSD)

 

Deputy Consul General Fernandez (second from right) poses with the Ambassadors of Malaysia (3rd from right) and Nigeria (4th from left) after receiving the Sustainable Finance Award on behalf of DBP for “Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing for success in financing Solar-Powered Resilient Communities.” Standing rightmost is Dr. Frank Mentrup, Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe. (Photo from EOSD)