17 January 2023 – A plaque of appreciation was presented on 17 January to the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Shanghai by Filipino organizations in Shanghai for the former’s efforts to assist compatriots during the 2022 lockdowns in the Municipality and surrounding provinces.

Ms. Michelle Teope-Shen, President of the umbrella group Filipino Community in Shanghai (FILCOMSHA), presented the plaque to Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, “as a token of the uttermost gratitude from the Filipino Community for the invaluable time, effort and commitment, while overcoming substantial challenges of logistics and survival of the times, in organization and implementing Emergency Food Assistance and in reaching out to assist Filipinos severely affected by the 2022 COVID-19 Lockdowns in Shanghai and Provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Jiangsu and Zhejiang”.

Present were Liwayway China Co. Ltd. President Larry Chan, Dai-ichi Electronics Shanghai Co. Ltd. GM Lee Mie Yee, Metrobank Shanghai Officer Ms. Annie Yap. On the side of the PCG were Deputy Consul General Marlowe A. Miranda, Consul John Francis S. Herrera, Tourism Attaché Ireneo H. Reyes, and PDOT Administrative Officer Warren S. Palacio.

The citation reflects the collective appreciation of 17 organizations representing the 4,000-strong Filipino Community in the Municipality:

• Fililpino Community in Shanghai (FILCOMSHA)
• Filipinos in Shanghai Badminton Association (FILSBA)
• Bagong Pinoy Community (BPCOM)
• OFW-Global Movement Association and Cooperation (OFW-GMAC)-Shanghai Chapter
• Pinoy Teachers Association in Shanghai (PITAS)
• Philippine Musicians Association of Shanghai (PMAS)
• Filipino Food and Beverage Shanghai (F&B)
• The Filipino Teachers in Shanghai (TFT-SH)
• Tribu Bicolandia
• Tribu Hiligaynon
• United Architects of the Philippines-Shanghai Chapter (UAP-Shanghai)
• Philippine Chamber of Business & Professional (PHILCHAMSH)
• Filipino Designers’ Work Group in Shanghai (FILDWGS)
• Filipino Basketball Association in Shanghai (FILBAS)
• One Caviteño
• Pinoy Sneakers Fam PSF
• Tribu Cordillerans

Consul General Ignacio thanked the Filipino Community for the recognition. “The Consulate General exists in the service of our people and our country’s interests. To serve to the best of our ability was reward enough. Nevertheless, this acknowledgement from our people is the highest honor.”

Shanghai experienced major COVID-19 surges throughout 2022. The surge peaked in April and May, forcing the city to shut down completely. All businesses and offices were closed and deliveries ground to a halt as the Municipality’s 23 million inhabitants were put under strict stay at home orders. Elsewhere within the Consulate General’s jurisdiction, limited lockdowns were also experienced in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces.

With support and funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Consulate General in Shanghai organized emergency food package assistance to over 500 Filipinos with limited access to food and essentials. Meanwhile, food vouchers were made available to over 1,200 Filipinos who opted for such assistance, with distribution beginning soon after the lifting of the lockdown. END