The Philippine Embassy in Berlin

​Meet and greet with newly arrived nurses

Amb. Dizon-De Vega (center 1st row), flanked by Labor Attache Delmer Cruz and Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel, with the newly-arrived Filipino nurses.

A group of 13 Filipino nurses who arrived in Berlin in late July to take up employment in Germany were yesterday welcomed by the Philippine Embassy in Berlin. The nurses, who were brought in by Geras GmbH and its Philippine recruitment agency partner Global Resource for Outsourced Workers (GROW) Inc., had been undergoing preparations to work in Germany since 2018.

Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega led the welcoming team, and was joined by Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel, and Consul Catherine Torres. The brief program was held at the Embassy’s outdoor amphitheater with hygiene measures observed in light of the COVID-19 situation.

Filipino nurse Bryan Robles delivers a short message on behalf of the nurses (all photos by Berlin PE)

The Ambassador congratulated the nurses for making it through various hurdles and wished them well on the next phase of their life in Germany: integration. She assured them that the Embassy would be there to support them should they encounter difficulties, and encouraged them to get in touch with the Embassy and POLO-Berlin in case the need arises. Labor Attaché Cruz seconded this and also encouraged the nurses to uphold the world-class reputation of Filipino healthcare workers.

Mr Shaun Procter of Geras GmbH briefly recounted the long process of bringing the nurses in, which he was first inspired to do after experiencing excellent service from the Filipino crewmembers of a cruise ship. Afterwards, one of the nurses, Mr Bryan Robles, gave a brief testimonial where he acknowledged the nurses’ mixed emotions in coming to Germany to practice their profession at a time when there are also health challenges back home. He said that, ultimately, the decision is a fulfillment of a long-term aspiration not only for themselves but also for their families.

The program then segued to a more informal exchange as each of the nurses introduced themselves and shared their journey over simple merienda fare from Ayan Filipino Streetfood Restaurant. END.

Repatriation Flight for Filipino Seafarers Departs from Germany

29 July 2020, Berlin – 167 Filipino seafarers departed from Hamburg International Airport today on board a chartered Condor Airlines flight bound for Manila. The flight passengers come from different maritime companies, with the bulk of over 70 crewmembers affiliated with Marlowe Shipping Management Company based in Germany. Other passengers were employed by various maritime companies in Europe. The flight arrangements were coordinated by BTH Travel Hamburg with the Philippine Embassy in Germany.

On hand to assist in the repatriation efforts in Hamburg were Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, OWWA Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel, and Consular staff Renante Estrella and Vieto Pilapil.

Before proceeding to their boarding gate, the seafarers were given links to the AKAP program and other benefits for displaced OFWs by the Welfare Officer Gabriel.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega expressed the hope that the returning crewmembers, who worked mostly on cargo vessels, would eventually find employment again in the international maritime sector. END

Filipino crewmembers from different maritime companies check-in at Hamburg International Airport (all photos Berlin PE)

 

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega with Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel send-off Filipino crewmembers

Additional Batch of Filipino Crew of AIDA Cruises Arrive in Berlin

An additional 51 newly-hired Filipino crewmembers of AIDA Cruises arrived on 24 July 2020 at the Berlin Tegel Airport in Germany. They are set to join 217 other Filipino crewmembers who arrived earlier to commence preparations for the summer cruise season.

Like the initial batch of seafarers, the crew are all experienced maritime professionals and will undergo further training in new health and safety requirements and procedures being implemented in the European cruise industry.

On hand to welcome them in Berlin were officials of AIDA Cruises, one of the largest cruise companies in Europe, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Consul Marie Chris Chieng, and Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz.

Before proceeding to their respective ports of operation in Hamburg and Rostock, the crewmembers will undergo an orientation session in Berlin.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega welcomed the Filipino crewmembers and wished them a safe and productive stint during the cruise operations.

In view of new regulations, the crew will likewise be trained in the updated safety and health measures on board cruise vessels while their company is observing and providing additional safety measures, facilities, and equipment for the crew. END

The Team Leaders for Filipino crewmembers with Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, Consul Chieng, and Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz in Berlin, Germany (photos by Berlin PE)

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega welcomes Filipino seafarers to Germany

Public Advisory No. 24

Updated COVID-19 Related Protocols at the Embassy

The Embassy has recently expanded its consular service hours starting 01 July 2020, and will maintain the following protocols to ensure public safety:

1. Consular services will continue to be rendered on a BY-APPOINTMENT system only, the public may refer to Advisory No. 23 effective 01 July 2020 for
details.
2. Entry into the building is regulated and all entrants will be required to wear masks while inside the building.
3. Companions will only be allowed entry if their presence is essential (i.e. if applicant is a minor, pregnant woman, senior citizen, or requires physical assistance).
4. If you are sick, kindly contact the Embassy to rebook your appointment.
5. Upon entry, you will be requested to scan a QR Code for a contact tracing form or write details manually on the contact tracing form for public health purposes (all data will be protected under privacy regulations).
6. While the Embassy has ballpens on standby, clients are advised to use their own pens for optimal safety and precaution.

Thank you for doing your part to keep all our clients, staff, the general public, and the Philippine Embassy safe.

CONNECT WITH US

CONTACT US

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

Assistance to Nationals (ATN) / Emergency Hotline: +49 (0) 173 421 7750
(Please help us keep the line free for those with real emergencies. Do not call this number for regular inquiries.)

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)

Opening Hours
Consular Section
Mon – Fri – Fri 09:00H – 16:00H
(Except on Philippine and German holidays)

 

Philippine Migrant Workers Office (MWO)

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

For OWWA membership, welfare, and labor case assistance:

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

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