29 January 2024, Singapore – Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig, met leaders of the different Filipino organizations in Singapore on Sunday, 28 January 2024, during the quarterly Ugnayan held at the Philippine Embassy. The Ugnayan, the first one held this year, was held in hybrid format, with around 50 members of the Filipino community attending in person. The livestream, which is still available at the Embassy’s official Facebook page, has already garnered 4,900 views.
Embassy officials provided updates and addressed the Filipino organizations’ concerns and inquiries on a wide range of issues from defense and security, economic and trade relations, cultural and people-to-people and consular and labor services.
Presentations included an overview of the Philippine position on the West Philippine Sea and 2016 Arbitral Award, travel tips and reminders for Filipinos visiting Singapore, updates on the ongoing Overseas Voting registration, and a lineup of the Embassy’s cultural activities. Representatives from the Embassy’s partner agencies also shared updates on labor- and social security -related matters.
Prior to the start of the program, the Embassy showed a video presentation of its major accomplishments for 2023 as well as plans and activities for 2024. The Philippines and Singapore will celebrate the 55th year anniversary of their bilateral relations this year.
Outgoing Welfare Officer Marivic Clarin also took the opportunity to bid farewell and extend her appreciation to the Filipino Community in Singapore for their support and cooperation to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) – Singapore. Prior to her assignment in Singapore, Ms. Clarin served as the Welfare Officer at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong.
Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Emmanuel Fernandez concluded the event by encouraging the Filipino community in Singapore to continuously arm themselves with information and to take pride in being Filipinos, so they may become more effective citizen-diplomats for and of the Philippines.(END)
