Ambassador Laurel Meets with Filipino Community Leaders in Sapporo and Listens to their Concerns
The Hokkaido visit of Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V kicked off with a meeting with the Filipino community leaders in Sapporo’s Samahang Pilipino ng Hokkaido. He listened as the community leaders explained how they and their association members are faring, what their concerns are, and how they have managed to lead productive lives in Hokkaido. Ambassador Laurel exhorted them to remain united, especially in the face of the rise in the number of workers expected as a result of new legislative developments in Japan. Ambassador Laurel informed the Filipinos of recent social and economic developments in the Philippines, and encouraged them to return to the country to look for business opportunities. Ambassador Laurel also explained recent changes in passport requirements and responded to a number of queries on documentary requirements and legal issues.
Ambassador Laurel with members of Samahang Pilipino ng Hokkaido
He shared with the Filipino community leaders that he visits Hokkaido to meet the Governor to present the donation made by the Philippine Government to Hokkaido Prefecture as assistance and relief for the victims of the Western Iburi Earthquake. The community leaders shared how they also organized themselves to volunteer to provide relief and assistance to victims in the immediate aftermath of the quake.
Also present in the meeting were Minister for Political Affairs Mme. Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, and Philippine Honorary Consul in Hokkaido Mr. Ken Tobe.
