Kolkata, 22 May – The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi held a fruitful Outreach Mission to Kolkata on 19 May that extended consular services to Filipinos hailing from India’s vast East and Northeast and, in a first since the pandemic, brought them together in festive reunion gathering.

Led by Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio, the multi-pronged outreach involved consular service extension, the Ambassador’s first direct interaction with the region’s kababayans (compatriots), and a BAGONG PILIPINAS Townhall Meeting.

All events were held at the Hotel Hindustan International with the support of the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Kolkata under Consul General, a.h., Deepak Khemka. The Embassy Team processed passport applications and provided one-on-one consultations with Filipinos on their consular inquiries. Beneficiaries included Filipinos who had travelled from far-flung areas in Northeast India. In the evening, Consul General Khemka hosted a Meet-and-Greet for the Filipino Community. Attended by over a hundred kababayans, some with their Indian spouses, it was the largest assembly of Filipinos hailing from Kolkata and surrounding regions, in recent years.

Ambassador Ignacio thanked the Filipino Community for their warm reception and support. He outlined the Embassy's priorities and initiatives,  and emphasized recent important gains in Philippines-India ties and new bilateral undertakings, as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.

The Embassy Team also conducted a Townhall Meeting to brief Filipinos on  the Bagong Pilipinas governance and leadership ethos launched by the administration of President Ferdinand "Bong-bong" Marcos Jr.

The presentation called on the Community to heed the President’s call to action and for a collective mindset shift towards a transformed idea of being Filipino, supporting national ends.

The Embassy Outreach Mission was met with great and heartfelt appreciation by Filipinos, who expressed the hope that more such Missions would return in the near future.

The sentiments of their fellow Filipinos were matched only by the Embassy’s sense of satisfaction at the success of the activity. “We are delighted to have resumed our Missions in Kolkata and serve our kababayans in East and Northeast India”, said Ambassador Ignacio. “The Embassy is steadfastly committed to connecting with our countrymen across India and Nepal and safeguarding their welfare”. END