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Embassy of the Philippines, Riyadh

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Coordinates: 24°40′58″N 46°37′46.5″E / 24.68278°N 46.629583°E / 24.68278; 46.629583
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Embassy of the Philippines, Riyadh
Pasuguan ng Pilipinas sa Riyadh
سفارة الفلبين في الرياض
Philippine Embassy Chancery and Multipurpose Building
LocationRiyadh
Address3479 Arradaef Street, As Safara, Riyadh 12512-7474
Coordinates24°40′58″N 46°37′46.5″E / 24.68278°N 46.629583°E / 24.68278; 46.629583
AmbassadorVacant (Mr. Raymond Balatbat has been nominated as the incoming ambassador [1])
WebsitePhilippine Embassy, Riyadh

The Embassy of the Philippines in Saudi Arabia is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established on December 23, 1973 in Jeddah, the embassy is now located in the Diplomatic Quarter district in Riyadh.[2] [3]

The embassy also covers Philippine interests in the Republic of Yemen. It maintains an Honorary Consulate in Sana'a, Republic of Yemen.[2] [4]

History

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The Philippines established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in October 1969, following its recognition of the Kingdom on November 15, 1946. The first Philippine mission opened in Jeddah on December 23, 1973.[5]

A 1983 Royal Decree by King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud mandated the relocation of all diplomatic missions to Riyadh, the new capital city. The Philippine government acquired land through a formal agreement in 1985. The embassy temporarily operated in the King Fahd Quarter beginning July 1985 while the new chancery was constructed in the Diplomatic Quarter.[5]

In 1994, President Fidel Ramos laid the cornerstone for the new embassy buildings. The new chancery was inaugurated in 1996 under Ambassador Romulo Espaldon. [5]

Activities

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President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. meets with Philippine Embassy officials and staff and the Filipino community on the sidelines of the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh on October 20, 2023.[6]

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh serves as a lifeline for Filipinos in Saudi Arabia. It protects the rights of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through labor assistance programs and promotes their well-being with cultural events and reintegration initiatives.[7] The embassy also facilitates a smooth Hajj experience for Filipino Muslims and assists Filipino scholars pursuing educational opportunities in Saudi Arabia.[8]

Looking beyond needs of overseas Filipinos in the Kingdom, the embassy fosters trade and business partnerships between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia and Yemen.[9] It promotes the Philippines as a tourist destination and connects Filipino professionals with their Saudi and Yemeni counterparts. By offering targeted support for nurses and engineers, the embassy ensures a smooth transition for these in-demand professionals.[10]

The Philippine Embassy serves as a bridge, fostering connections and safeguarding the interests of Filipinos in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. [11]

List of Heads of Mission

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Ambassador / Head of Mission Tenure Note(s)
Lininding Pangandaman[12] 1973–1981
Benjamin Romualdez [13] 1981–1982
Alejandro Yango [14][15] 1982–1985
Mauyag Tamano [16] 1985–1989
Abraham Rasul [17] 1989–1993
Romulo Espaldon [18] 1993–1999
Rafael Seguis [19] 1999–2002
Bahnarim Guinomla [18] 2002–2006
Antonio Villamor [20] 2006–2010
Ezzedin Tago [21] 2010–2016
Iric Arribas [22] 2016–2017 Chargé d'Affaires, a.i.
Adnan Alonto [23] 2017–2022
Rommel Romato [24] 2022– Chargé d'Affaires, a.i.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Crisostomo, Shiela (June 10, 2024). "Balatbat appointed Philippine envoy to Saudi Arabia". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Historical Background". Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Department of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "DFA Directory". Department of Foreign Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Aurelio, Julie (July 28, 2024). "17 Filipinos in Yemen OK even after Israeli strikes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Philippine Embassy Historical Background". Philippine Embassy Riyadh. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  6. ^ "President of Philippines Arrives in Riyadh to Participate in GCC-ASEAN Summit". Saudi Press Agency. October 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "Philippine Embassy holds special passport processing for HSWs". Saudi Gazette. April 25, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "President of the Islamic University of Madinah Receives Charge d'Affairs of the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia". Saudi Press Agency. February 1, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Aben, Ellie (February 14, 2024). "Philippines sends first business mission to Saudi Arabia since pandemic". Saudi Research and Publishing Company. Arab News. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  10. ^ Aben, Ellie (June 4, 2023). "Philippine immigration runs special arrangements for thousands of Hajj pilgrims". Arab News. Arab News. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "Philippines seeks release of sick Filipino hostages from Yemen's Houthis". The Philippine Star. August 2, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  12. ^ "Former ARMM Gov Pangandaman dies". Rappler. October 15, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Balana, Cynthia (February 29, 2012). "The man who wore no socks laid to rest". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  14. ^ "International Year of the Child celebrated at the Jharna-Kala Gallery". World Harmony Run. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  15. ^ "Brief Profile of International Philippine School in Jeddah". Philippine Schools Overseas. Philippine Schools Overseas. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  16. ^ Macabalang, Ali (June 28, 2016). "MSU cites Saudi Arabia's support in making it 2nd largest university in PH". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  17. ^ "Rasul, 80". The Philippine Star. September 19, 2002. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Former Philippine Envoy To Riyadh Dies At 79". Arab News. September 5, 2005. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  19. ^ Malasig, Carol (September 14, 2013). "Rafael Seguis: Diplomat on a mission". Rappler. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  20. ^ Javellana-Santos, Julie (October 5, 2006). "Commission Confirms Nomination Of Philippine Envoy To Saudi Arabia". Arab News. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "Phil Ambassador and Saudi Ministry of Health discuss Phil-KSA relations". Asia Society. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "Philippines, Pakistani officials discuss issues of workers in Saudi Arabia". AlArabiya News. August 18, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  23. ^ "Three planes to fly home remains of Filipinos from Saudi Arabia". Al Jazeera. June 23, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  24. ^ "President of the Islamic University of Madinah Receives Charge d'Affairs of the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia". Saudi Press Agency. February 1, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
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