Interview by Rui Pastorin
At Praça Kin Heng Long in Nape, Filipinos get into the lift to reach the Philippine Consulate General’s new office, which officially opened last Sunday on the building’s seventh floor, where it is currently the sole occupant.
Taking a left after getting out of the lift, past a coat of arms in gold, one will walk through a hall with a wall decorated with pictures of tourism spots in the Philippines before getting to where consular and labour-related services are provided in a comparatively bigger area, which also boasts a new queueing system in use.
Philippine Consul-General Porfirio M. Mayo Jr told The Macau Post Daily in an interview on Monday about its new office that after 15 years at the AIA Tower, it’s “about time to have a fresh start here in Macau”.
Larger, convenient, comfortable
Compared to its former office, Mayo pointed out that size-wise, the space is “80 percent bigger”, while the “degree of comfort is much higher” as it is more spacious.
Its labour section has particularly been expanded, which “used to have just a bench” in the old office, according to Mayo. Its two sections are separated by a frosted glass partition, which can be folded back to create a larger space for events such as film showings or community meetings.
Asked if the consulate has received any feedback from the Filipino community on the new office, Mayo noted that people were amazed and have said that they were more comfortable. He also said he thought that Nape is a “trendy area” as there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, five-star hotels and public parks nearby, which are all very convenient for those visiting the consulate, as well as being “very accessible” due to convenient public transport.
Continuing to provide services
In terms of the services that the consulate provides, Mayo said that the number of services, which are divided into consular services and labour services, remains the same.
Mayo said that its labour section is handled by the consulate’s colleagues from the newly created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in the Philippines, an attached agency of the Philippine Consulate General in Macau. The service is for Filipino migrant workers in Macau, offering services such as the provision of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) when they go home, Mayo noted.
It also serves local employers intending to renew contracts with their Filipino employees, with the labour office verifying them.
Programmes including a Cantonese course, a bartending course and seminars on labour laws are also provided, among others. There is also a unit dedicated to assisting Filipino nationals with other matters.
Moreover, the consulate is attempting to convert one of the areas into a “Sentro Rizal”, Mayo said, which is one of the main features of Philippine foreign service posts.
The area currently has a bust of Filipino writer, nationalist and polymath José Rizal, which all Philippine foreign service posts have, as well as a collection of writings and articles or publications about the Philippine national hero. Moreover, the area is planned to be a ceremonial hall and reception room. “Here, we intend to conduct marriages, oath-taking ceremonies and alike”, Mayo pointed out.
Staying connected
Mayo also spoke about the consulate’s efforts to stay connected with the Filipino community that he described as very engaging, cooperative and supportive of the consulate’s projects, as well as having a good sense of patriotism. “They love their country and they will do everything to improve their lives”.
Mayo added that community affairs remain mostly the same, with the consulate continuing to regularly meet with leaders of the Filipino community each quarter to discuss upcoming events they are jointly organising such as the Pahiyas Festival, and service-related suggestions, among others, now to be held at the bigger and more convenient public area in its new office.
The consulate also stays connected with the community through social media, particularly through its Facebook page and its website, to disseminate information on what is going on in Macau that is of concern to them, Mayo said. He emphasised this as one of their sworn duties and responsibilities in Macau, adding that “we always look after the best interest of our workers here. So those platforms are very useful for reaching out to them”.
Filipinos make up the second highest number of non-resident workers (NRWs) in Macau, which stood at 24,245 at the end of March, according to the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL).
Philippine Consul-General Porfirio M. Mayo Jr. poses on Monday next to the coat of arms of the Philippines on the new premises in Nape.
Philippine nationals wait in the consular service area on Monday. Photos: Rui Pastorin
