RP opens new diplomatic mission in Barcelona

MANILA, Philippines –The Philippines will open a new diplomatic mission in Barcelona, Spain to serve an estimated 20,000 Filipinos in the Catalonian region and thousands of Filipino seamen passing though the vital and busy international port city, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

Romulo, who is on official visit to Barcelona and Zaragoza, will formally inaugurate the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona that will also serve to promote the Philippines’ political and trade interests.

“The inauguration coincides with the celebration of the 110th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and underscores the special warm relations and profound socio-cultural ties shared by the Philippines and Spain,” Romulo said in his departure statement.

The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona will be headed by Consul General Eduardo Jose de Vega, a career Foreign Service Officer.

The Secretary said his official visit to Spain builds on the accomplishments of President Arroyo’s State Visit in December 2007 that “further deepens the Philippines’ engagement with a fraternal partner and reinforces our commitment with the international community to pursue global development in its fullest form.”

He added that Barcelona and Cataluña hold special significance for the Philippines and freedom-aspiring Filipinos. Barcelona was the first Spanish City known by national hero Jose Rizal. 

It was also in Barcelona that La Solidaridad, the movement of Filipino intellectuals and the newspaper of the same name that articulated the ardent call for radical reforms in the Philippines, was founded.

He noted that a meeting with the President of the Parliament of Cataluña, Ernest Benach Pascual, and other officials has been arranged to explore opportunities for broader cooperative ties between the Philippines and Spain’s Catalonian region. 

In Zaragoza, together with the Ministers of other participating nations, Romulo will attend the official opening ceremonies of Expo Zaragoza to be officiated by King Juan Carlos I.

At the Expo Zaragoza 2008, the Philippine Pavilion will be formally opened. 

Expositions are vital international platforms for bringing together the global community to advance common interests, share worthwhile experiences and express national priorities and programs.

With the theme “Water and Sustainable Development,” Expo Zaragoza 2008 aims to showcase the world’s best practices and innovations in managing, protecting and sustaining water resources.

Romulo said the Philippines has a vital opportunity to highlight the best the nation has in water resource management.   

The Philippine pavilion,“ Filipinas archipiélago el mundo acuático,” will introduce visitors to almost 200 community-based water management projects undertaken by the Philippines. 

The display will demonstrate how water forms a vital part of Filipino culture and tradition, its geothermal resources, marine preservation activities, and ecotourism. The Pavilion will articulate the Philippines’ resolve to protect and manage its water resources for posterity.