RP Embassy opens temporary office in Dublin

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Embassy has opened its temporary office at a business center in Dublin, Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. A report from Philippine Ambassador to Ireland Ariel Abadilla said the temporary office is located at the Fitzwilliam Business Center, Suite G03, 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2. "Its temporary business hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, except on Philippine and Irish holidays," the DFA said in an article on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph). For inquiries, the Embassy may be reached at tel. no. 01 6401946 and email address dublin.philembassy@gmail.com. Abadilla, in opening the first resident Philippine Embassy in Ireland, noted July is also the same month when diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Ireland were formalized in 1984. To prepare for the transition process, Philippine honorary consul in Dublin John Ferris held his last consular clinic last July 11 at the Teacher’s Club on Parnell Square West, Dublin. Ferris will also be at the new office, which opened last July 9. Abadilla said the public can now transact regular business at the new temporary office. The Embassy began consular and frontline operations on July 13. The initial team deployed to Ireland by the Philippine government includes Abadilla, Minister and Consul General Hjayceelyn Quintana, and Attachés Jocelyn Roxas, Ruth Patricio, and Errol Reyes. Abadilla said that while undertaking full consular operations, the team will continue efforts in setting up the permanent location for the Embassy in two to three months’ time. It will also attend to all aspects of Philippine-Irish diplomatic relations. Charla Aldemita, from Misamis Occidental and now a resident of County Kildare, was the first to visit the Embassy on its opening day. She came with her husband Arnold and their two young sons. Mrs. Aldemita said she is “very happy and content" now that there is a Philippine Embassy in Dublin that will attend to the concerns of Filipinos in Ireland. Abadilla presented his Letter of Credence to Irish President Mary McAleese at a ceremony held at the State Reception Room of the Aras an Uachtarain (President’s Residence) June 29. "Abadilla’s presentation of credentials marks the establishment of a Philippine resident Embassy in Ireland," the DFA said. - GMANews.TV