Mabuhay!
South Australia is in the right place with limited cases of COVID-19. Restrictions have been easing considerably, and we are looking forward to more establishments reopening. The wider community have been doing a great job listening and acting responsibly whilst ACT and NSW are now open to SA.
The Filipino community has been quiet with very limited social gatherings. However, some organisations are having social events in the next few weeks as life returns to normal. Although things will not be the same again, the resilience of the Filipino-Australian community does not stop. What they love is to help people through fundraising and providing programs such as those experiencing mental health issues and food assistance.
If your situation is getting overwhelming, please ask for help. There are many people in the community willing to support you.
I want to assure you that the Philippine Consular Office in South Australia remains open to assist Filipinos in SA. Email or call. Please also take time to check the Philippine Embassy, Canberra website (https://www.philembassy.org.au/) for developments in the Philippines and Australia. The month of September saw the largest amount of Filipinos asking for assistance from the Consulate in the last three years.
The mobile mission this year has been cancelled.
Passport extension has been available to some Filipino if they meet the requirements. You can only receive an extension 30 days from the expiry date of your passport and 30 days from your visa expiring. If your passport has expired, you cannot get an extension.
If you are a natural-born Filipino citizen and no longer holds citizenship, the Philippine government encourages you to apply for dual citizenship as it restores all rights as a Filipino citizen including, but not limited to, right to vote, own land, practice professions restricted to Filipino citizens, and stay indefinitely in the country. Please visit through the Philippine Embassy, Canberra website for more details on how to apply and further updates in the future.
We are still doing NBI checks for visa requirements and Special Power of Attorneys and other Consulate duties in South Australia.
Keep up to date by liking my Facebook page “Consulate of the Philippines in South Australia”.
