PRESS RELEASE NO. 15-2022
11 March 2022, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA – The Philippine Consulate General rendered a record high number of consular services during its consular outreach mission conducted from 1 to 9 March in Tafuna, American Samoa. A total of eight hundred eighty-five (885) consular documents were processed during the activity, consisting of 733 applications for passport, 111 notarials, 6 applications for NBI clearance, 27 reports of birth, and eight (8) reports of marriage.
Consul Grace Bulos led the Consulate’s outreach team during its 8-day mission. She was supported by Consular Assistant Hermogenes Caysabyab, Jr. and Consular Assistant and Collecting Officer Gia Cristina Victorio.
Consul General Emil Fernandez met with the Director of the American Samoa Government Office in Hawaii, Mr. Tuiafono Vaiuli Sua Jr., last 15 December to commence preparations for the activity. The outreach was also conducted through the invaluable assistance of the Filipino Community in American Samoa (FCAS), led by its president, Mr. Eulogio Banting. “Nagpapasalamat po kami ng malaki sa tulong ninyo at ng Konsulado sa pagpunta dito sa American Samoa para mabigyan ng pansin ang aming mga pangangailangan,” Mr. Banting said in a telephone call to Consul General Fernandez on 10 March to express their gratitude.
Despite the Code Red restrictions imposed by the American Samoa government in response to the community spread of the COVID-19 virus, FCAS, in coordination with the Consulate’s team, implemented an appointment system to ensure compliance with directives on limiting gatherings, social distancing and wearing of masks.
The mission to American Samoa is Post’s first outreach since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Plans are afoot for the conduct of similar missions in each of Hawaii’s main islands this year, with the next activity scheduled in Hilo on the Big Island this July. (END)
Volunteers of the Filipino community in American Samoa (FCAS) assist applicants during the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu’s consular outreach in Tafuna, American Samoa. (Photo credit: Grace Bulos)
As a COVID-19 mitigation measure, a volunteer of the Filipino Community in American Samoa (FCAS) checks the temperature of a client before allowing him entry into the passport processing and encoding area. (Photo credit: Oliver Serrano, FCAS)
Ms. Gia Cristina Victorio evaluates the documents of a client. (Photo credit: Oliver Serrano, FCAS)
Consular Assistant Hermogenes Cayabyab, Jr. assists an applicant in affixing her fingerprints to her NBI application form. (Photo credit: Grace Bulos)
Consular Assistant Hermogenes Cayabyab, Jr. assists an applicant in affixing her fingerprints to her NBI application form. (Photo credit: Grace Bulos)
Consul Grace Bulos and the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu’s consular outreach team pose with the officers of the Filipino Community in American Samoa, led by Mr. Eulogio M. Banting, President (4th from left).
(Photo credit: Grace Bulos)
