Philippine Consulate Extends Services to the Valley Isle

KAHULUI, Maui- The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu commenced its “Alay sa Kababayan” Consular Outreach Program with a visit to Maui County to extend consular services to an estimated 34, 000 (22,000 Filipinos and 12,000 Filipino-Americans) Filipinos in Maui last November 14.  The “Alay” Team processed 250 passport applications and 10 notarial services.

At the Community Evening Reception, 26 former Filipinos re-acquired their Philippine citizenship under RA 9225 (Retention and Reacquisition Act) 2003 at a formal Oath Taking Ceremony led by Consul General Cardenas and witnessed by  their friends and families. 


In his welcome remarks, Mr. Herman Andaya, President of the Maui Filipino Community Council, conveyed the Filipino community’s appreciation to Consul General Cardenas for bringing the team to Maui and save Filipinos in Maui the cost of traveling to Honolulu for the filing of application of their passports and other consular needs. He added that for a family of three or four, money-wise, going to Honolulu was  a ”tremendous burden.” On its third visit to Maui, the  “Alay” Team has extended consular services to 1,000 Filipinos in Maui since October 2008. 


In his response, Consul General Cardenas said that he hopes to send Consular teams to all the islands as a public service to all Filipinos in recognition of their industry and perseverance that uphold the Filipinos’ good image and reputation in Hawaii. 


He also conveyed his grateful appreciation to the Filipino Community in Maui for their generosity in helping the victims of the recent typhoons by undertaking various fund drives which raised almost $10,000.00.  All donations were sent to the Filipino Community Center Typhoon Relief Fund. (www.philippineconsulatehonolulu.com)
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