The Philippine Consulate General in Milan, Italy, held the last General Assembly (GA) of Filipino community (Filcom) leaders from northern Italy, on Sunday, 24 November 2019.

Consul Mersole J. Mellejor, Acting Head of Milan PCG, was joined by officials and representatives of POLO/OWWA, SSS and Pag-IBIG Fund in presiding the GA that brought around 100 participants representing Filcom organizations from the eight (8) regions that comprise the Consulate’s jurisdiction, namely: Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia-Giuglia, Lombardia, Liguria, Piemonte, Trentino-Alto Aldige, Valle D’Aosta and Veneto.

During the GA, participants were updated on key activities and initiatives of Milan PCG and its attached agencies and relevant developments from January to November 2019 and provided with information on services that are available for Filipinos.

Participants were also briefed on: (1) termination of the manual extension of e-passport validity; (2) updated guidelines on e-passport application; (3) entry into force of the Apostille Convention in PHL; (4) removal of red ribbon from consular documents; (5) continuing system of registration/certification for qualified overseas voters for the 2022 PHL national elections; and (6) Philippine ID system (PhilSYS).

In addition, participants were provided with tips on the various platforms that could be used to effectively communicate with the Consulate and were informed on the establishment early this month of the Filipino Entrepreneurs Society to bring together small- and medium- enterprises owned by Filipinos in northern Italy.

The Philippine Independence Day Council 2019 (PIDC 2019) presented its final report on the conduct of the Philippine Independence Day celebration on 16 June 2019.