Consular Services Appointment System
PCG Congratulates Cebu Pacific on 2023 Gains; Reiterates Commitment to Boost Travel Numbers to PH
SHANGHAI – Travel industry optimism added to holiday cheer as Cebu Pacific reported on its 2023 accomplishments and plans for 2024 at the year-end reception of the airline’s
Shanghai Representative Office for local travel industry partners on 20 December at the Anokhi Restaurant, Xuhui District.
Hosting the gathering were Sales Manager Ms. Kelly Tao and Sales Supervisor Mr. Sam Ni.
The Cebu Pacific Team reported on the steady recovery of flight connections between the Philippines and Mainland China, and the airline’s expanding fleet of Airbus units.
The airline is optimistic about prospects in 2024, with planned further increases in frequency.
Guest of Honor Consul General Josel F. Ignacio congratulated Cebu Pacific on its overall, system-wide gains in 2023. He outlines the Philippine Country Team’s various initiatives in 2023 to support tourism into the Philippines and through it, the health not just of communities in destinations, but of the airline, hospitality and travel industry as a whole.
The Consul General cited, among others, the round-the-clock work of the Consulate General’s visa staff; the revival of the Tour Group Visas for Chinese nationals in April 2023; and the implementation of the Philippine electronic visa between August and November.
He called for a concerted effort to boost promotion and further enhance traveler experience in Philippine destinations, as attendees acknowledged remaining challenges such as the continuing preference of Chinese travelers for domestic tourism, post-pandemic.
Cebu Pacific and travel industry representatives all expressed appreciation for the Consulate General’s efforts. END
Dialogue with Filipino Organizations Furthers Drive toward Swift, More Effective Assistance to Nationals
SHANGHAI – Animated and candid exchanges permeated the “Dialogue on Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN)” hosted by the Consulate General (PCG) and visiting DFA officials on 16 December with representatives of Filipino organizations.
The forum was held as part of the PCG’s ATN program, taking advantage of the presence of representatives of the DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA).
Following keynote remarks by Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, Consul John Francis S. Herrera gave a briefing on the PCG’s ATN work and activities. He touched on the profile of the Filipino Community in eastern China, challenges commonly encountered by Filipinos based on interaction with kababayans and cases handled by PCG, and a survey of relevant local work and immigration policies.
Visiting OUMWA Special Assistant Charleson C. Hermosura delivered a well-received presentation on the DFA’s ATN Mandate, the mandate of the Department of Migrant Workers, the utilization of the ATN Fund, and Legal Assistance services.
Weaving personal accounts and anecdotes into their talk, the Forum’s resource persons provided an illuminating take on about PCG’s and the larger Philippine Foreign Service’s valiant and tireless ATN efforts around the world.
The open forum saw Filipino community leaders engage in a cordial no-holds-barred discussion with PCG and OUMWA officials, whose readiness to field all queries was greatly appreciated by participants, who came from as far as Hangzhou.
“We are at your service”, emphasized Consul General Ignacio, as he closed the discussions. Further consultations ensued during the fellowship merienda that wrapped up the event.
The OUMWA Team was in Shanghai from 14 to 17 December. Aside from discussions with PCG on ATN service delivery, the team conducted a visit to a correctional facility and called on Shanghai immigration authorities. END
Combined PCG and DFA-OUMWA Team Meet with Shanghai Immigration Authorities
Matters Impacting Filipinos in Shanghai Discussed
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Consul General Ignacio leads PCG and OUMWA Team in discussions with Entry-Exit Bureau Officials |
SHANGHAI – On 14 December, Consul General Josel F. Ignacio led a delegation from the PCG and the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) in a meeting with the top echelon of the Bureau of Entry-Exist Administration (BEEA) of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau (PSB).
The Philippine officials were received by Director General Mme. QIU Ling. Accompanying the Consul General were Consul John Francis S. Herrera, OUMWA mission head Special Assistant Charleson C. Hermosura, and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Attaché Nenita G. Feliciano and ATN Officers Victor D. Galanza, Lauren S. Arce, and Carmela H. Bernaldez.
Both sides engaged in open and extensive discussions on issues of mutual import. The PCG emphasized its mandate to advance and safeguard the welfare of Filipino nationals in the Municipality, while respecting host country laws. Both sides acknowledged the importance of open communication between the PCG and the BEEA.
The BEEA comprehensively addressed the Consulate Generals queries and requests for clarification on topics such as entry visas and residence permits, penalties for immigration and visa condition violations, as well as particular cases of concern.
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CG Ignacio, Special Assistant Hermosura and PH officials with BEEA Chief Qiu and colleagues. |
The PCG also took the opportunity to update the BEEA of initiatives to facilitate the travel of Chinese nationals to the Philippines, such as the revival the Tour Group Visa scheme for Chinese outbound tour groups in April, followed by the beta test implementation of the Philippine e-Visa between August and November. Both saw the first issuances in Shanghai.
The call on the BEEA was arranged in consonance with the visit to Shanghai of the OUMWA officials. The Team visited the city to ascertain the overall situation of Filipinos, in furtherance of the DFA’s ATN mandate as implemented by PCG.
The OUMWA Team visited Shanghai from 13 to 17 December, following its mission to Xiamen. Aside from discussions with PCG on ATN service delivery, the team visited correctional facilities on 15 December. The following day, they joined PCG in a Forum on ATN concerns with Filipino organizations. END
ADVISORY: On Overseas Voter Registration
The Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) will hold a meeting on 15 January 2024 (Monday), 9:30am at the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai for the hearing of the applications of registrants who registered during the period 01 October – 31 December 2023 for overseas voting for the 2025 midterm elections.
Please advise the Consulate General should there be any objections against the registration of the following applicants on or before 08 January 2024.
LIST OF APPLICANTS
01 October – 31 December 2023
- MACAN, JENELIE Q. – REGISTRATION
- ABARIDO, MENANDRO O. – REGISTRATION
- JAYME, DANIELA B. - REGISTRATION