24 September 2024, Berne - The Philippine Embassy in Berne, led by PH to Switzerland Ambassador Bernard Faustino M. Dy, hosted its second “Kumustahan sa Pasuguan” for members of the Filipino Community on Saturday, 21 September 2024, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Sentro Rizal Bern. Around 60 participants were in attendance.
During the Kumustahan, the Embassy launched its two new online registrations for the Filipino community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, namely the voluntary Registration of Overseas Filipinos in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and the Registration of Philippine Enterprises and Creative Industries in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The registry is aimed at helping the Embassy improve the delivery of services and communication with the Filipino Community on important advisories or announcements, and other information on the Embassy’s activities. The Embassy also encouraged the Filipino Community to register their organizations.
The Embassy provided updates on the upcoming National and Local Elections in 2025, particularly the shift from personal and postal voting to internet voting using the Online Voting and Counting System for overseas voters in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Following the event, the Embassy accommodated applications of first-time OV registrants, deactivated voters, and previously registered voters who needed to update their personal information. Overseas voter registration ends on 30 September.
The Embassy also gave an orientation on the annual celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) and its objectives, as well as a briefing on the West Philippine Sea and its importance to the Philippines’ economy and society. This is in support of “the Philippine Government’s aim to increase the Filipino diaspora’s awareness and appreciation of the maritime and archipelagic nature of the Philippines.”
The Embassy shared with the Filipino Community the upcoming activities in the remaining months of 2024 and in the pipeline for 2025, including consular and assistance-to-nationals outreach missions being planned in cantons outside Bern. END
PH Ambassador Dy thanking the Filipino Community for attending the Kumustahan sa Pasuguan.
Vice Consul Rowell Casaclang discussing the objectives of the online registrations for the Filipino Community
The Embassy made a push for first-time overseas voting registrants, deactivated voters, and previously registered voters who needed
to update their personal information to register before the 30 September deadline.
PH Ambassador Bernard Faustino M. Dy (center) and Deputy Head of Mission Maria Anna Lilia
de Vera-Schinazi (second from left) with the participants from the Filipino community in
Switzerland during the Kumustahan sa Pasuguan on 21 September 2024.
