Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
by CK May is the month of flowers not just in the Philippines but also here in Calgary. A lot of my neighbors have done their spring cleaning and unfortunately I cannot cope up with them. I remember that during this time of the year my husband, Hank gets busier day by day. He takes care [...]
Read full post »

Visitors to Pinoytimes

Start of StatCounter Code

End of StatCounter Code

Page added on April 20, 2010

Email This Post Printable version

Print This Post

SPECIAL REPORT: Interview with Honorary Consul General Felix Guerrero

In the light of some upcoming changes in the office of the Honorary Consul General Felix Guerrero, we would like to share with you a brief summary of a personal one on one interview by 94.7 FM Pinoy Radyo’s Reth “Juan Manila” Barnachea with him. The personal interview was held at the office of Mr. Guerrero. The entire interview held in Filipino language (Tagalog) has been translated in plain English language to cater to all our readers:

JM: “Honorary Consul General Felix Guerrero, what can you say or any comments that you may have on the most recent Consular Service held in Calgary?”

HCFG: “The Consular Service is a very important mission that our Consulate General in Vancouver leads to help and reach out for the consular needs or fellow “kababayans”. It should have been well-planned to cover all areas of planning its resources i.e. volunteers, copiers, and expectation of attendees. Most important, a Plan B must be in place in the event the original plan (A) fails.”

JM: “May we know now Sir, why we are to start calling you “Former” Honorary Consul General? What are the truths about your appointment and decisions not to continue with this very important role?”

HCFG: “ You see, my initial appointment was March 10, 2004. An appointment such as this, can be prolonged if the Honorary Consul requests for an extension of another 3 years, or if the appointment is requested by the DFA for another 3-year term extension. In my case, I was re-appointed for another 3 years in 2007, therefore, my term recently expired March 11, 2010. I have decided to focus on my family and some legal matters I need to look after, as well, to devote much needed time and attention to my business. I have not made any decision to come back as Southern Alberta’s Honorary Consul General”.

JM: “Sir, what are the requirements to become a Honorary Consul General?”

HCFG: “The position as Honorary Consul General has various required pointers to be considered before the appointment. The Department of Foreign Affairs takes and looks deeply into your capacity to provide a local office and back-up support. As you know, the position is not a paid employment, so a Honorary Consul must therefore be financially stable to aid himself in his endeavor to carry on with the capacity as a Honorary Consul General in the jurisdiction he is representing. It is in fact a vacant position at this point.”

JM: “What are the roles of a Honorary Consul General?”

HCFG: “There are quite a lot of functions that a Honorary Consul must deliver when appointed to represent a jurisdiction. 1. Authentication, Power of Attorney, Affidavits…any documents of any Filipino National that needs a signature of a Consul General. 2. Assistance on distressed nationals of the Philippines for their protection and support on emergency cases. 3. Expatriation of a deceased Filipino National. 4. Help in fund-raising projects by local communities to support our “Kababayans” who may require financial assistance. Lastly and most important is the proper promotion of our country “the Philippines” in all areas of his jurisdiction. We need to make sure our country is well-represented at all times especially here in Southern Alberta which was my jurisdiction.”

Parting Words……..

JM: “As your term had ended, we would like to request Sir Felix Guerrero any parting words that you may have for our “kababayans” here in Calgary, now that you are considered as FORMER HONORARY CONSUL GENERAL.”

HCFG: “ I would like to thank all the Filipinos – Nationals and Filipino-Canadians alike, for all their help. I would like to just express and point out that this position really is not a paid employment but an appointment. It would make the next Honorary Consul’s job easier if we can help rather than cause rifts. The job to divide communities is so easy but putting them together is such a hard task. We need to reform the community of Filipinos in Southern Alberta. I ask that whoever replaces me in the future, and whoever gets the appointment, will be well-supported by everyone so that we will have a better and brighter community. THANK YOU SINCERELY TO ALL.”

SPECIAL REPORT: Interview with Honorary Consul General Felix Guerrero

pinoytimes.ca © 2009