The Philippine Consulate General


	MABUHAY!,Tuloy po kayo sa opisyal na website ng Konsulado Panlahat ng Pilipinas sa Dubai U.A.E.


	Announcement of Machine Readable Passport (MRP) Message from: ConGen. Benito Valeriano
	110th Anniversary Philippine Independence Day Message from: ConGen. Benito Valeriano
	Migrant Workers' Day Message from: ConGen. Benito Valeriano



Hon. Benito B. Valeriano
Machine Readable Passport (MRP) Dubai – The Philippine Consulate General will start accepting and processing applications for the new Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) on 16 June 2008. The issuance of green passports will therefore cease on the same date. However, valid green passports will still be honored as acceptable bona fide travel documents issued by the Government of the Philippines until these expire. Issuance of the MRP is in compliance with the Philippine Government’s commitment to the requirements of the ICAO to issue ICAO standard MRPs no later than 01 April 2010. The ICAO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, promotes the safe and orderly development of International civil aviation worldwide. The new, maroon-colored 44-page passport includes a “machine readable zone” containing the personal data of the passport holder that can be read by a machine or a computer. It will contain security features such as: watermarked paper, color UV fibers, UV reactive inks, ultra thin laminates resistant to forgery and chemical, thermal and mechanical attacks, letter screen containing variable information and holograms, among others, to make it more secure. Passport applicants are required to secure three photographs taken against a royal blue background instead of a white background. Size of passport photo is 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm, 70-80% of which must comprise the applicant’s image. Personal appearance of applicants is now required for data verification, finger-printing and signature capture. No applications by mail will be accepted. To ensure security of the MRPs, all passport applications filed with the Philippine Consulate General will be transmitted by speed mail to the Department of Foreign Affairs Office in the Philippines, where these will be processed/printed. Processing time required is approximately 30 WORKING DAYS, i.e. from time the application is accepted. As regards expeditious/early release of passports, the Consulate General regrets that it can no longer accept such applications in view of this procedure. Aware of many concerns of OFWs regarding the long period required for processing MRPs, the Consulate General had recommended to Manila that the machine for processing/printing the MRP be sent to Dubai to shorten the processing time. In the meantime, all Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates are requested to extend their kind cooperation to the Philippine Consulate General to ensure smooth implementation of the MRP.
Benito B. Valeriano Consul General – Dubai & NE
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110th Anniversary Philippine Independence Day Celebration On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the vibrant Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Working as we do far from home, we mark this day not only as a reminder of the sacrifice of our heroes and the birth of our nation but also as a rallying point for all overseas Filipinos who passionately pursue dreams of a better life. This same passion can be traced to that desire for freedom and self-determination keenly felt by our forefathers. While this year’s Independence Day theme, Public Service: Tungo sa Ganap na Kalayaan at Kaunlaran, implies that the quest for freedom of our nation is a continuing endeavor, it is actually the development that never ends. How true. One never stops to enhance and protect one’s hard-earned freedom and its concomitant rights. Whether it be the right to happiness or the right to choose where to live and work. It is the idea of public service, though, that provides the main chord to this theme. Here, public service is not limited to governance or the responsibilities of those working for government. It refers to the duty of each and every Filipino, wherever they may be in the world, to contribute to the protection and the strengthening of our freedom and the enhancement of our national development. Every citizen counts and everyone has as much responsibility as everyone else. One can never go wrong sharing oneself-be it in terms of time, talent, or treasure-with the community, nation, and humanity as a whole, because there is no limit to human decency. In this light, therefore, I commend all those who, despite their hectic work schedules and personal commitments, gave generous portions of themselves to ensure the success of our Independence Day celebrations. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
Benito B. Valeriano Consul General – Dubai & NE
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2nd Migrant Workers' Day 6th June, 2008 I wish to greet all our kabayans in Dubai and Northern Emirates “Happy Migrant Workers’ Day” This is a special day in the year when we pay tribute and honor to our “Mga Bagong Bayani” (New Heroes) who are well-respected and have been part of the development and growth of this country. For the past several decades, Filipinos have contributed to their fair share in almost all aspects of life in the UAE. They also constitute a large majority of the expatriate population of this country. Let us also not forget their economic contribution to the Philippines The US$14.4 Billion annual remittances of OFWs all over the world in 2007, higher by 12.5% from the previous year’s USD12.8 Billion, will continue to sustain the economy of our country. To our migrant workers, remain steadfast and all the best to you! Mabuhay kayong lahat!
Benito B. Valeriano Consul General – Dubai & NE
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