This was confirmed by Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro in an interview at the Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) yesterday.
Lazaro is in Palau for discussions with top government officials on a wide range of issues.
Asec. Lazaro disclosed that Whipps' appointment has recently been approved by the Palau government.
Whipps said he will do his best as the representative of the Philippines to Palau.
An Honorary Consul functions much like an ambassador and takes care of some problems faced by Filipino citizens living and working in a foreign land.
The DFA promised strong backing to Whipps, a businessman by profession. He is married to a Filipina, Joy Flores-Whipps.
Later on, a non-resident ambassador will be appointed to oversee Palau and help Whipps with his duties.
That official, who will be based in Manila, will be traveling to Palau on a regular basis to help in taking care of the welfare of Filipinos living and working in the island nation.
The appointment of an Honorary Consul has been sought by many with the closure of the Philippine Embassy here.
The closure of the Philippine Embassy has become a real problem for Filipinos who found themselves without effective representation.
There are more than 4,000 Filipinos in Palau, most of whom are workers. Abuse of foreign workers is rampant in Palau, and the Embassy before it closed down, was the place most of these abused workers find refuge.
Before Whipps' appointment, the Asia-Pacific Division of the DFA handled Palau.
Source: Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 1 & 11
Volume 22
Issue 17
February 28, 2013
TOP PI FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OFFICIAL VISITS
A TOP official of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is in Palau for a series of discussions on a variety of issues concerning Philippine-Palau relationship.
DFA Assistant Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro arrived here on Tuesday. She will be flying back to Manila on Friday.
During her visit, Lazaro had talks with President Tommy Remengesau, Jr., Vice President Tony Bells, Senate President Camsek Chin, and House of Delegates (HOD) Speaker Sabino Anastacio.
Among the topics discussed were cooperation in the areas of labor and fisheries. The welfare of the Filipino workers were also discussed.
In their talks, Lazaro said that the government officials here have been very cooperative and supportive and she was optimistic ofn the further strengthening of relations between the two countries despite the closure of the Philippine Embassy here.
The Philippine Embassy in Koror closed down last July 31, 2012.
There is also a proposal for the training of Palauan diplomats in the Philippines and schooling of teachers at the Philippine Normal University (PNU).
"I am just short of pushing things," she disclosed.
Though not yet official, Lazaro disclosed that Philippine President Benigno Aquino has invited President Remengesau for a visit.
She also had a press conference with the local media where she announced the appointment of Eric Ksau Whipps as Philippine Honorary Consul to Palau.
The press conference was attended by Island Times reporter Peter Erick Magbanua of Davao City, Philippines and Jose Senasa of Tia Belau.
Lazaro was accompanied here by several directors of the DFA.
Source: Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 2
Volume 22
Issue 17
February 28, 2013
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