New PHL consul to Catalonia expected to be of 'great help' to Pinoys in Spain

The Philippines' new honorary consul to Catalonia and Aragon Jordi was formally introduced to Generalitat de Catalunya President Artur Mas last Feb. 12.

Honorary Consul Puig Roches was introduced to Mas by Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos Salinas during the meeting, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

"During the meeting, President Más noted the big number of Filipinos living and working in Catalonia. He said that the presence of the Philippine Honorary Consul will be of great assistance and service to the Filipinos in Catalonia and Aragon, especially after the closure of the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona," the DFA said in a news release.

Salinas noted the positive feedback both from the Filipino community in the area, and the Philippine authorities on the continuous rendering of consular services through the presence of the Embassy Transition Team in Barcelona.

Also present during the meeting were Catalunya Foreign Affairs Secretary Roger Albinyana and Philippine Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Catalino Dilem Jr.

The DFA said the Barcelona-based office of the new Philippine Honorary Consul started its consular operations on January 16. It will be inaugurated on February 27. - VVP, GMA News

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