The Philippine Embassy in Berlin

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR RECEIVES KARLSRUHE SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AWARDS FOR DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES

Berlin – Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad addressed an audience of international political, business, and finance leaders at the Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards Ceremony as the guest of honor at the City Hall of Karlsruhe, Germany last 4 July 2013. The international event was attended by, among others, former EU Commissioner and Foreign Minister of Austria Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup who welcomed the participants from all over the world.
Ambassador Natividad also received an award for the Development Bank of the Philippines in recognition of their innovative finance services in implementing its loan program. Two other Philippine institutions were recognized for innovative and sustainable financing – Land Bank of the Philippines and Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc.
The city of Karlsruhe presented three awards: Best Innovation in Sustainable Financial Product & Services, Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing and Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement. Development banks from India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka won the main awards.  The awards night was the highlight of the two-day Global Sustainable Finance Conference 2013: People, Planet, Prosperity which brought together international political, business, and finance leaders for an intensive discussion on innovative investments in climate and environment protection.
During the Conference, there were presentations on small and medium-sized enterprises; project financing; sustainable and low-carbon economies; sustainability as a factor in finance strategies; environmental change as it relates to sustainable development; and sustainable technologies.

In her speech, Ambassador Natividad recognized the Global Sustainable Finance Conference  as an excellent platform for dialogue and business networking in the field of sustainable finance and investments. She also acknowledged the work of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) under the leadership of its President and CEO Mr. Gil Buenaventura.

“I should give credit where credit is due: to the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the innovative people behind their “Water Revolving Fund”. I would not be here now without their excellent work,” the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador also cited the pivotal role of the DBP in the quest for sustainable and inclusive growth in the Philippines.

“It is one of the first banks in our country to integrate environmental considerations in all aspects of its operations. The DBP’s thrusts are in line with the investment priorities plan of His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III which encourages greater investments in green projects, infrastructures, and renewable energy. As in the past, the DBP is contributing to the outstanding economic growth of the Philippines this year.”

The Ambassador also expressed her admiration for Karlsruhe as “Green City” of Germany – as a model for sustainable development and stated that there is a great potential for cooperation between the Philippines and the entire Technologie Region Karlsruhe.

“There are areas where our interests converge. At over 92 million strong, the Philippines has a population dividend that can potentially help address yours skills shortage and at the same time facilitate skills transfer to us. We want to invest in our human capital and partner with an innovation and technology leader, such as Karlsruhe. We only need the proper mechanisms to facilitate this mutually-beneficial exchange, ” she stated.

The call for closer cooperation was well received by Lord Mayor Mentrup.

In closing, the Ambassador congratulated the organizers of the first Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards and the Lord Mayor for the successful gathering and urged further cooperation towards a sustainable future. – END-

Philippine Embassy Berlin Conducts Consular Outreach in Hamburg

Berlin.  The Philippine Embassy in Berlin composed of Consul Adrian Cruz, Ms. Melinda Hernias, Ms. Nors de Ramos, Ms. Lota Fajardo and Mr. Armand Mahinay conducted a mobile consular outreach service in Hamburg on 29 June 2013 in cooperation with the Federation of Filipino Organisations in Northern Germany e.V. (FFONG).

For the first time, the consular team coordinated with the Filipino volunteers the implementation of a pre-registration system to manage the flow of consular applicants.  Majority of the Filipinos that appeared at the one-day outreach came from Northern Germany (covering Hamburg, Bremen and Niedersachsen areas).  The outreach was held at the premises of MA Transworld GmbH, which is owned and operated by Ms. Mila Antony.  MA Transworld GmbH provides convenient and reliable remittance services to the Philippines through their partnership with Landbank of the Philippines and Metrobank.

The consular team facilitated during the one-day outreach a total of 68 e-passport and travel document applications, 24 authentication and notarials and civil registry applications and three visa applications. In addition to these consular services, the team also offered legal consultation and advice for former Filipinos who are interested to acquire dual citizenship.

Ms. Corazon Entapa, the new president of FFONG, was on hand to assist the Embassy mobile team and supervise the pre-registration with the assistance of the hardworking staff of MA Transworld GmbH.  The other officials of FFONG who came to assist the mobile team on the day of the outreach were Mr. Ofring Sale, Ms. Nenita T. Malke, Ms. Conchita Heitmann, Ms. Divina Martens, Ms. Josefina Ocampo, Ms. Nilva Hensel, Mr. Avelino de Lima, Ms. Vangie Meinecke and Ms. Josie Pertl.  The mobile team also received the support of the following volunteers: Ms Teona Ochs, Ms Vivien Ochs, Ms Teresita Thomsen and Ms Fanny Stockmann.

The mobile outreach is part of the Philippine Embassy’s efforts to bring its consular services closer to Filipinos residing in different parts of Germany. The next outreach will be held at the Philippine Honorary Consulate in München on 13 July 2013.  (END)

Berlin PE and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Celebrate “Philippines on the Rise”

Berlin PE and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Celebrate “Philippines on the Rise”
with a Panel Discussion-Concert featuring Noel Cabangon

Berlin.  The Philippine Embassy in Berlin, in close cooperation with the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung (FNS), featured a unique panel discussion-concert on the “Philippines on the Rise”, with a formidable panel composed of Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad, FNS Country Director and former European Parliament member Jules Maaten, journalist Marites Vitug, and acclaimed singer Noel Cabangon.

Ambassador Natividad welcomed the audience and set the tone for the discussions by highlighting the economic outlook for the Philippines, a nation on the rise. She noted the robust  GDP growth at  7.8% which outpaced all other ASEAN member states in the first quarter of 2013 and the recent investment grade ratings. The Ambassador also emphasized that bilateral relations with Germany is at its most robust, with high level exchanges at the ministerial level.

Mr. Maaten, referred to by Ambassador as a “true friend” of the Philippines, spoke of the gains reaped under the good governance reforms in the first three years of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Noting his foundation’s affiliation with the Liberal Party, Mr Maaten also spoke of the sustainability of the Philippines’ rise, in the context of the results of the recent midterm elections and the outlook for 2016, the next presidential elections. He also enjoined Filipinos to regard more highly of their country and recognize the remarkable economic growth ushered by the good governance reforms of the President.

Ms. Marites Vitug also gave an assessment of the first three years of the Aquino Administration and spoke of the work that remains to at hand. She mentioned some of the important bills that form part of the administration’s reform package which President Aquino will present at the opening of the next session of Congress set on 22 July.  She also responded candidly to questions on political dynasties in the Philippines.

Central to the panel discussion was the marked improvement in the electoral system especially in the recent elections and the concern for institutionalizing clean elections, good governance and eradication of corruption. Issues on the political maturity of the electorate and the need for education were also raised.

To these, the Ambassador emphasized that education is the key. A more educated population will be able to vote in a more rational way. On poverty alleviation and the huge education gap at tertiary level due to the prohibitive cost of education, the Ambassador stressed that the Embassy is intensively working with Germany on cooperation on the dual system of vocational education.

The panel discussion ended with patriotic songs from Noel Cabangon which delighted the audience. END

Philippines-Germany Football Diplomacy

Berlin.  On the heels of Michael Weiss’ contract extension as the Philippine Azkals manager, Filipino football will be given another boost by the July 2013 arrival of Thomas Roy, an expert in youth and grassroots development, who will assist the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) in talent identification and improving the youth football system.  Mr. Roy’s two year consultancy with the PFF is being funded and supported by the Federal Foreign Office and the German Football Association (DFB).

Before departing for the Philippines, Mr. Roy called on Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad to brief her on the program and discuss possible future projects.

During the exchange with Ambassador Natividad, both sides agreed to explore with the German Football Federation sending a German football team to the Philippines to “kick off” the 60th anniversary of Philippine-German relations as well as to celebrate the 107th foundation year of the German Club in Manila – a manifestation of football diplomacy.

Since Weiss became the trainer of the Philippine national team, the “Azkals” have steadily risen to become the 2nd highest ranked ASEAN country, with a world ranking of 144 as of July 2013.  The Azkals team is solidified by a strong contingent of Filipino-German players, including Stephan Schrock, Roland Muller, Dennis Wolf, Manny Ott and Patrick Reichelt. END

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CONTACT US

Luisenstrasse 16, 10117 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0) 30 864 95 00
info@philippine-embassy.de
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For Consular-related Queries please send directly to the respective email addresses below)

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Consular Hotline: +49 (0) 173 521 5703 (For queries on Consular Services)

Email Addresses:

Passport
(passport@philippine-embassy.de);

Authentication, Notarial, and Legalization
(authentication@philippine-embassy.de);

Visa
(visa@philippine-embassy.de);

Civil Registry
(civilregistry@philippine-embassy.de);

Citizenship
(Renunciation; Re-acquisition/Retention) (citizenship@philippine-embassy.de);

Other Consular queries
(consular@philippine-embassy.de)

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(Except on Philippine and German holidays)

 

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For OEC and Verification of Employment Contracts of Balik-Manggagawa in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Russia:

Mobile: +49 17681317465 (WhatsApp);
email: mwo.germanyoec@gmail.com

For accreditation of Agency and Direct Hires in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Russia:

Mobile: +49 15229021623 (WhatsApp/Viber)
email: germany@mwoberlin.com

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Mobile: +49 152 2823 8085 (WhatsApp)
email: owwamemb@gmail.com; mwo_berlin@dmw.gov.ph

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