Singapore—The Philippine Embassy in Singapore held its second Filipino Community Leaders’ Meeting to apprise the Filipino community in Singapore on the upcoming overseas absentee voting for the 2019 Senatorial and Party-List Elections, and outline its program for 2019 at the Philippine Chancery.
Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap informed the community that the Embassy will conduct the Philippine National Election in Singapore from 13 April to 13 May 2019. The Embassy thoroughly discussed the Philippine overseas voting rules and regulations as well as Singapore laws prohibiting foreigners from engaging in political activities or meetings and campaign for candidates. The Embassy will adopt postal voting using the Automated Elections System, as instructed by COMELEC.
Consul J. Anthony A. Reyes, Head of the Filipino Community Relations Section, gave the community an overview of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Philippines-Singapore bilateral relations this year. The Embassy envisions to have an inclusive celebration for this year’s Independence Day celebration.
Labor Attaché Saul De Vries discussed the new guidelines of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administrations of processing of Overseas Employment Certificates of Balik Manggagawa or returning workers, while Social Security System Representative Lucille L. Simbol gave an update on the new rate for SSS contributions.
Bayanihan Society Singapore, a volunteer welfare organization that render policy initiatives and manage the operations of the Bayanihan Center, invited all community members to this year’s Bayanihan Walk which will take place on 9 June 2019.
This year’s walk will feature the different bridges in Singapore starting from Clark Quay and including the Alkaff Bridge known as the “Bridge of Art”. The bridge’s decorative artwork is a legacy of Filipino artist Pacita Abad.
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For more information, visit www.singaporepe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippine-embassy.org.sg or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSingapore.
