16 October 2012 – The Philippine Consulate General conducted Consular Mobile Services (CMS) on 10 to 12 October 2012 in the Asir region in an effort to reach out to more Filipinos in the Kingdom. The CMS Team, led by Vice Consul RJ Sumague, was composed of consulate staff and personnel from the attached agencies, including the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Pag-IBIG Fund and Social Security System (SSS).

Passporting services during the CMS

SSS, PAG-IBIG and POLO-OWWA providing services to Filipinos in Asir Region

The CMS Team served 648 renewal of passports, 17 extension of passports and 50 notarials of various consular documents. Aside from passporting and notarial services, the Team also received requests for assistance involving labor problems and other assistance to nationals concerns.

Leaders and members of various Filipino Community Organizations in the Asir region, led by Mr. Virgilio Crisostomo, the Consulate’s Area Coordinator, assisted in providing consular services to Filipino nationals who went to the Azizia Hotel in Khamis Mushayt where the CMS was conducted.

The Asir region, which includes the provinces of Abha, Khamis Mushayt and Al Namas, is located in the Southwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Filipino nationals from the nearby provinces of Najran and Jizan also availed of the CMS. The region is one of the areas of the Kingdom with the biggest number of Filipinos.

The Consulate is scheduled to return to the region within the first quarter of next year to continue consular services for Filipino nationals in the area. END