Consular Services Appointment System
TNK Webinar coaches Shanghai Filipinos on Franchise Entrepreneurship Fundamentals
Shanghai – Engendering an entrepreneurial mindset and seizing opportunities in PH’s burgeoning franchising sector took the spotlight at the first session of the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan webinar series held on 4 June. Over 100 Filipinos attended.
Organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Shanghai (PTIC) and local Filipino organization The Filipino Teachers in Shanghai (TFT), the webinar featured resource speakers from the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA).
PFA Chair Sherrill Ramos Quintana provided an overview of the work of the PFA and a snapshot of notable trends in the Philippines’ rapidly expanding franchising landscape.
President Sam Christopher Lim covered the fundamental elements and benefits of franchising. He shared valuable advice on evaluating franchisors and the commitment expected from franchisees. Especially well-received were his tips tailored to overseas Filipino workers on making sound franchise investment decisions and on avoiding pitfalls.
Keynoting the event, Consul General Josel F. Ignacio urged Shanghai OFWs to become overseas Filipino investors (OFI) as well. He cited franchising as a viable and tested business model by which remittances can both raise OFW families’ living standards but with an added powerful multiplier effect that contributes to the larger economy. The well-attended webinar saw the participants engage the speakers in a lively exchange in the ensuring open forum. END
Emergency food assistance delivered to 247 Filipinos in Shanghai
Shanghai, 10 May – A total of 247 Filipinos across Shanghai received emergency food packs in a delivery effort that took place on 7-9 May.
The food packages are part of Welfare Assistance being extended to Filipinos most affected by the weeks-long lockdown in Shanghai. It is supported by Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Funds approved by the Department of Foreign Affairs on the recommendation of the Consulate General.
Each beneficiary received essential food items such as rice, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and cooking oil. For a taste of home, the package also included a selection of Philippine-branded canned fish and meat products, noodles, soup mixes, sauces, biscuits and condiments that are locally available in China via companies such as Lianyugang Dawn Trading Co. Ltd. and Century Pacific China’s Shanghai office.
In an act of solidarity, Philippine company Liwayway China Co. Ltd. of Oishi fame donated snack items to round up the package.
Organized into four teams, Consulate General personnel and Filipino volunteers worked round the clock to track, coordinate and troubleshoot deliveries with the third-party logistics provider during the three-day period, amidst lockdown restrictions.
From preparation to execution, the emergency food assistance was helmed by the Philippine Consulate General in a collaborative effort with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Shanghai, and in consultation with the Philippine Department of Tourism Office and leaders of Filipino Community organizations.
The food packages were well received by the beneficiaries, with many conveying their appreciation and delight via messages, photographs and even videos. Word about the food packages also made its way onto social media platforms, drawing positive comments from Chinese and other foreign nationals.
The food packs are part of a larger DFA-supported assistance effort that offered prospective beneficiaries a choice between emergency food packs or food vouchers. Registration was via a mobile phone application tailormade for the assistance effort.
A further round of registration for these forms of assistance is due to be launched soon.
The Consulate General acknowledges the valuable assistance of CITEM Business Representative in China Mr. Raymond Tan for supporting PTIC-Shanghai in the search for reputable and reliable suppliers. The Consulate General also appreciates the inputs during planning and execution provided by community leaders Ms. Michelle Teope-Shen, Mr. Joe Santiago, Ms. Annie Yap, Mr. Mark Ibañez, Ms. Jill Hilasque, Ms. Grace Bautista, Mr. Noe Estrella, Mr. Noel Caligagan, Ms. Gemma Calope, Mr. Herbie Recato, Mr. Aristotle de Leon, Ms. Marjorie Andes and, in the nascent stages, the Philippine Chamber of Philippine Chamber of Business and Professionals in Shanghai.
The Consulate General extends appreciation to Mr. Agrix Go for lending his expertise and for his crucial work toward developing the mobile application platform for the registration of beneficiaries.
The Consulate General conveys its appreciation to Mr. Larry Chan and Liwayway China Co. Ltd. for the company’s contribution of products. END
PCG attends Foreign Affairs Office and Shanghai Municipal Health Commission briefing for Consular Corps
Shanghai, 10 May – Consul General Josel F. Ignacio joined the Consuls General of the 70-plus consular missions in Shanghai at a virtual briefing on the Shanghai epidemic situation convened by the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) and the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission (SMHC).
SMHC Director WU Jinglei delivered a comprehensive presentation. He covered the origins and trajectory of the BA.2.2 variant-driven COVID-19 epidemic and the city’s responses and measures. Citing the substantial decline in daily cases, he outlined the “next stage” to clear the city of community transmissions and resurgences.
“The ultimate goal is zero COVID in communities as early as possible. With the guidance and leadership of the Central and Municipal government and the cooperation and support of all Shanghai’s citizens, we will see progress and we will see that restrictions will be gradually lifted back toward normal social and economic life”, according to Director WU.
Danish Consul General Jakob Linulf, Dean of the consular corps, spoke on behalf of all missions. He acknowledged the enormous efforts of the Shanghai government to contain the outbreak. He reiterated the readiness of consulates to comply with measures, while also raising shared concerns affecting foreign businesses and expatriate communities.
The FAO thanked all consular missions for their continued understanding, support and cooperation with Shanghai’s efforts to end the outbreak. END
ADVISORY: Suspension of Overseas Voting in Shanghai PCG
ADVISORY
07 May 2022
SUSPENSION OF OVERSEAS VOTING AT SHANGHAI PCG
The Consulate General regrets to inform registered voters at Shanghai PCG that, in light of the continuing lockdown and restrictions on the movement of city residents, overseas voting in Shanghai remains suspended pursuant to COMELEC En Banc Minute Resolution No. 22-0348 of 6 April 2022.
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PAUNAWÀ
Iká-7 ng Mayo 2022
PAGKA-SUSPINDÍ NG BOTOHÁN SA SHANGHAI PCG
Ikinalúlungkót pô na dahilán sa patuloy na lockdown at kaakibat na paghihigpít sa paglabás at paglalakbáy ng mga mamamayán, ay nanánatíling naká-suspindí ang botohán sa Shanghai sa bisa ng COMELEC En Banc Minute Resolution No. 22-0348 na may petsang iká-6 ng Abril 2022.