PRESS RELEASE - 24 -2020

(14 September 2020, Honolulu, Hawaii) In its continuous efforts to improve public service, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu conducted a Retooling on Consular Services for its personnel from 1 to 8 September 2020.

The fluidity of developments brought about by the pandemic gave rise to changes in rules and regulations on the Consulate’s various consular services. In this regard, the conduct of the retooling was timely as it aimed to equip or refresh personnel’s knowledge and skills on the Consulate’s various consular services, ensure that personnel can assist in the delivery of any consular service, and ensure continuity of operations.

Resource persons from the Consulate’s own pool of Consular Assistants were tapped to conduct lectures which covered the services’ legal basis, requirements and procedures and best practices in service delivery. Ms. Julieta Balignasay was in charge of civil registry and re-acquisition and retention of Philippine citizenship. Messrs. Ronald Bautista and Rodel Tejada handled the lectures on passport services, while Mr. Felix De Leon covered visas and notarization of documents.

The resource persons also conducted hands-on training for personnel, who were arranged in smaller groups in keeping with social distancing and health protocols. (END)

(Left photo) Deputy Consul General Angelic C. Escalona delivers the opening remarks to commence the Retooling on Consular Services. (Right photo) Mr. Felix V. De Leon, Jr. explains the requirements and procedures on notarization of documents.

(Left photo) Mr. Rodel Tejada shares best practices on handling passport clients  (Right photo) Mr. Ronald O. Bautista guides personnel through various modules of the ePassport system.

(Left photo) Ms. Julieta Balignasay engages in a lively Q and A on civil registry.  (Right photo) Retooling participants observe as Mr. De Leon goes through the various steps in visa processing.