Barcelona, 06 March 2023 – In commemoration of National Women’s Month, and International Women’s Day, the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona opened its doors on Saturday, 04 March 2023, to welcome over 200 members of the Filipino community. Though the Consulate occasionally opens on Saturdays, this Women’s Month saw over 180 women applicants, who availed of consular services, as well as the services of the Migrant Workers’ Office (MWO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Social Security Services (SSS), and Pag-Ibig. Some also took advantage of the health and wellness consultations offered for free at the venue, courtesy of volunteers. 

The MWO was on hand to provide contract verification services and address labor-related queries and concerns, OWWA for membership and other services, Pag-Ibig for MP2 applications, and SSS for updates on memberships and ways to ensure that their accounts were fully-paid. Applicants also took the opportunity to check on their health, as the volunteer Filipino nurses read their blood pressure and blood sugar levels and provided them with advice on things they can do everyday to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Mindfulness and meditation sessions were also held by a Filipino yoga instructor. 

“We are happy to have with us today, not only our colleagues from MWO, OWWA, Pag-ibig and SSS, who are working non-stop to serve our kababayan in Barcelona, but also our community volunteers, especially the nurses, who have been helping our community be more aware of potential issues with their health,” said Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro. “We are truly grateful for their service, and proud to have such a sincere team of Filipino nurses and other volunteers in Barcelona,” she added. 

Opening the Consulate doors to the Filipino community on a Saturday for Women’s Month and International Women’s Day was a practical way to serve the community, especially its women who went with their school-aged children for passport services. 

“It is a huge help to be able to run errands at the Consulate without asking for time off from work, or asking my kids’ teachers for time out from their classes. As a working mother, having access to passport services, plus being able to check on my Pag-Ibig and SSS accounts, at a very convenient time is something I truly appreciate,” said an applicant. END