PR-011-2017
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr.
Meets with the Filipino Community in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Secretary Yasay speaks before the Filipino Community in an open forum.
(Riyadh, 25 January 2017) Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 21-22 January 2016 as a prelude to a planned visit by President Rodrigo Duterte to the Kingdom later in the year.
The Secretary was accompanied by Special Assistant Enrique Voltaire G. Pingol, Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA) Assistant Secretary Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, OMEAA Director Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan and Executive Assistant Rene Montebon.
The highlight of the visit is an open forum held at the Riyadh Marriott Hotel with some 150 leaders of various Filipino organizations in the Kingdom.
According to Secretary Yasay, he was sent by the President to listen to the concerns and problems of the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia. He also urged the Filipinos living in the Kingdom to work closely with one another and steer clear of regionalism.
Secretary Yasay listening to a question from Ms. Alina Articulo, one of the FIlipino community leaders invited to the event.
The Secretary poses for photos with leaders of the Filipino community in KSA
Secretary Yasay with the leaders of the Filipino community in KSA
Secretary Yasay conducts a coordination meeting among posts and attached agencies in KSA. Seated from left are: Special Assistant Enrique Voltaire Pingol, Chargé d'Affaires,a.i. Iric Arribas, Secretary Yasay, , Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA) Assistant Secretary Hjayceelyn M. Quintana and Jeddah PCG Consul General Imelda Panolong.
The Secretary conferring with the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy and attached agencies at the Assistance to Nationals Section of the Embassy.
Consul Mary Jennifer D. Dingal (center), head of the Consular section, together with Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Iric C. Arribas demonstrating to the Secretary the procedure of passport releasing at the Embassy.
The Secretary also conveyed a message by the President urging the Filipino community to comply with the laws of the host country. He said that is important to show the whole world that Filipinos are dependable, honest, hard-working and law abiding.
Secretary Yasay left the Kingdom on 22 January after conducting a joint coordination meeting with officials of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh led by Charge d’Affaires,a.i. Iric C. Arribas, Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah led by Consul General Imelda M. Panolong and attached agencies. (END)
