NAURU – The Embassy of the Philippines conducted a two-day Mobile Consular Mission to the Republic of Nauru from 27 to 28 February 2019. The Republic of Nauru, along with the Republic of Vanuatu and Tuvalu are the three Pacific Island nations under the jurisdiction of the Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra, Australia.

A total of thirty-six (36) among the estimated sixty-five (65) Filipino residents of Nauru applied for a Philippine ePassport, including three (3) first-time applicants.

The Embassy Team was headed by Consul General Jim San Agustin and included Mrs. Cynthia Lamban, the Philippine Labor Attaché to Australia, and Mr. Albert Francia, Passport Officer.

Immediately after the Consular Mission, the Embassy Team held a dialogue with the Filipino Community in Nauru to discuss Philippine Government programs for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Among the topics discussed were the working conditions in Nauru, workplace rights and resources for migrant workers, DOLE and POEA regulations governing OFWs and their employers, and the availment of the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) funds and the Legal Assistance Funds (LAF) by qualified beneficiaries.

The Embassy team also had discussions with Mr. Sean Oppenheimer, Member of Parliament (MP) and CEO of Capelle and Partners, and Mr. Robert Mencel, Chief Executive Officer of Ronphos Corporation, to ascertain the working conditions of Filipino employees and discuss measures to meet the increasing demand of Nauru employers, including State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), for Filipino professionals and skilled workers.

During the meeting with Ms. Christiana Detenamo, DFAT Director of International Affairs, Consul General San Agustin and Labor Attaché Lamban discussed issues of mutual interest between the Philippines and Nauru, including the status of Filipino workers in Nauru and the proposed official visit of H.E. Ambassador Hellen B. De La Vega to present her credentials as Non-resident Philippine Ambassador to Nauru.