Honolulu — With the aim to bring service closer to overseas Filipinos, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu conducted a goodwill visit to over 20 Filipino fishermen at Pier 17 of the Honolulu Harbor on August 13, 2019.
Consulate General’s Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Section head Consul Grace Bulos and Assitance to Nationals (ATN) officer Rodel Tejada coordinated the visit with Pastor Jerry Saludez of the Waipio Community Baptist Church and the Seafarers Ministry, who regularly holds Bible study sessions for the fishermen every Tuesday and Friday.
Father Anastasi Saint Antony, parish priest of the Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church and head of the Hawaiian Mission in Honolulu, and youth volunteers from the Hawaiian Mission also joined the Consulate General officials and Pastor Saludez’s group.
In her address, Consul Bulos reiterated the Consulate General’s readiness to assist the fishermen with their concerns. They were likewise encouraged to avail of the Consulate General’s consular services at their convenience using the courtesy lane for overseas Filipino workers, particularly passport renewal.
The fishermen were also encouraged to sign the Code of Conduct developed by the Hawaii Longline Association (HLA), which informs them of their rights, benefits and grievance procedures while they are working in Hawaii.
In their exchanges, the fishermen informed Consulate General officials that they are pleased with their work. Most of them are returnees who have been employed in Hawaii’s longline fishing industry for five to 10 years.
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For more information, visit https://www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph, or
https://www.facebook.com/PHinHonolulu.
