RP opens consular office in Recife, Brazil

MANILA, Sept. 28 (PNA)- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has opened an Honorary Consulate General in Recife, Brazil to further cater to the consular needs of Filipinos in northeastern Brazil.

According to Philippine ambassador to Brazil Teresita Barsana, the Recife consulate office was a concrete step in the commitment of both the Philippines and Brazil during the state visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Brazil last June.

The Consulate General in Recife is expected to further promote cooperation between the Philippines and Brazil as well as look after the welfare of Filipino nationals within the consular jurisdiction.

Segio Kano, former president and chief executive of Tecon Suape, a subsidiary of the Manila-based International Container Terminal Services, Inc., has been appointed as Recife Honorary Consul General.

Kano said he would first implement his assistance-to-nationals task to the newly arrived 18 Filipino workers at the Suape shipyard.

Earlier, President Arroyo led the inauguration of the expanded container terminal of Tecon Suape during her visit to Brazil, a manifestation of the continuing interest of the Philippines to further develop its bilateral relations with Brazil, particularly in the state of Pernambuco, and an appreciation of the important role Pernambuco plays in the development of Brazil.

The Philippine Honorary Consulate General is located at Rua Ribeiro de Brito 830-A, Salas 1805/1806 Empresarial Iberbras, Boa Viagem, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.