By: Fernando A. Chuidian

Calgary – The first leg of a series of  consular outreach program   for Alberta  officially kicked –off  last  April 29, 2011 with an activity  held at the Southside Community Church southwest of this city.  A  team of  Vancouver based Philippine Consulate employees headed by Vice Consul Melanie Diano and staff composed of Benneth Ganata, Gandiosa Garcia, Vincent Ruiz and Paulino Paco trooped down to  Calgary to  facilitate for Filipino Calgarians the processing of their  passports  and  other  consular document needs.  This  community service event  was held from April 29  up to  May  1 ,2011, provided Filipinos young and adults with services  from passport renewals, consular ‘s SPA (Special Power of Attorney) to dual citizenship application and other needs. Each applicant were given individual time slots on an appointment basis so as to make the processing easier, wait and hassle free.  The day long event saw a good turnout of applicants  numbering to  around 150 on its first day alone.

“To  further  strengthen our government’s commitment  to  the people  thru community  relations is the main objective of this program, Filipinos who live in Calgary need not travel to the Philippine  Consulate office in Vancouver, BC. For this purpose alone, it will save them time and money.  We have two more outreach programs  scheduled on July and September in other key cities of Alberta” according to project  organizer , Ms. Carlyn Guerrero.

Overall it was a successful undertaking as this annual event gets  better  each year,  working hand in hand with  the consulate team  and  a group of dedicated volunteers is this years‘ major sponsors I-REMIT and Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), a non profit  organization that provides assistance to newcomers and immigrants here in Canada, with their able  support  and presence the  event was transformed into a one stop shop  providing for Filipinos  added  services such as educational  and employment opportunities to money remittance service.

The next passport outreach program will be at the end of July 2011.  Please visit the Philippine Consulate website for further information.

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Back Row, Left to Right
Mark o. Brien (Casino Host) Clem Tigley ( Welcome Host) Jovita Saquibal (Organizer) Linda Thompson
Bebot Aguillar, Pepe Aguillar, Carmen Monte Mayor, Jun Paco (Philippine Consulate) Vincent Ruiz
(Philippine Consulate)

Front Row, Left to Right
Ancie Tigley, Melanie Diano (Vice General Consul), Lolly Abastilla, and Norma Villareal

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Back Row, Left to Right
Nora Gragadio, Benneth Miemban Ganata, Josie Garcia, Mark O. Brien (Casino Host), Clem Tigley (welcome Host)
Jovita F. Saquibal (Organizer), and Linda Thompson.

Front Row , Left To Right
Carlyn Guerrero, Ancie Tigley, Melanie Diano (Vice General Consul)

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Back Row, Left to Right
Leonor Chavez, Jim Salcedo, Ilyn Salcedo, Ben Batuyong, Clem Tigley (welcome Host)

Front Row, Left to Right
Benneth Miemban Ganata, Josie Garcia, Jun Paco (philippine Consulate), Vincent Ruiz (Philippine Consulate)
Melanie Diano (Vice General Consul) Yolly Moncilla, Pepe Aguilar, Carmel Aviento, Jovita Saquibal (Organizer).

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Back row, Left to Right
Nora Gragadio , Benneth Miemban Ganata, Tito Sayson, Emily Sayson, Ancie Tigley, Clem Tigley,( Host)
Sally, Gloria Abat, Vicky Miranda, Jovita Saquibal (Organizer) Jun Paco (Philippine Consulate) Vincent Ruiz
(Philippine Consulate).

Front Row, Left to Right
Josie Garcia, Linda Thompson, Melanie Diano (Vice General Consul) , and Rogel  Miranda.

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