The announced indefinite postponement of the passport renewal and consular services for Filipinos in Eastern Province has drawn sharp criticism and dismay from the Filipino community here. Filipino organizations are now preparing appeals to high authorities in Manila, and passing signature campaign to restore the ‘Embassy on Wheels,' the monthly activity of the embassy for passport and notary services in Eastern Province. ‘The Embassy on Wheels' is the only contact of the Filipino community with their government in addressing their concerns and problems regarding passports, consular services, and labor. The cancellation of these activities leaves us isolated,” said Reggie Montana, president of the All Filipino Community and Sports Commission (AFCSCOM). “The reason of lack of funds is a very flimsy argument; it is not sensible,” he said. Montana said the Filipino community in Eastern Province has been supporting the Philippine Embassy officials during their visit to the region to provide consular and other services. The cancellation of the passport renewal and consular documentation services will add more burden to the already dire financial situation of many Filipinos, according to Roi Alojado, a community leader in Jubail. “What the embassy wanted us to do is travel over 300 km to Riyadh to renew our passports, and then travel again to collect our renewed passports. Just imagine the expense, time consumed, and the perils of traveling if, for example, there are several members in the family,” Alojado said. He said AFCSCOM and other community organizations are now preparing moving the high authorities in Manila for restoration of ‘Embassy on Wheels.' Romeo Dionisio, acting president of the Overseas Filipino Workers Congress, an advocacy organization, said they are launching signature campaign to restore the ‘Embassy on Wheels' services. “It is unbelievable that the issue of lack of funds is the reason why the embassy is stopping indefinitely these vital services to us Filipinos here in Eastern Province,” he said. Other community leaders are more blunt in questioning the logic of stopping the passport and consular services. “If our government can afford to spend millions in overseas trips, why not for services to the OFWs who have been supporting the government through our dollar remittances and contributions to agencies, like the OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration),” a community leader here said. Consul Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., charge d'affaires at the Philippine embassy in Riyadh, said the budget of the embassy for travel expenses, allowances for personnel, food, accommodation, transportation, and rent at the International Philippine School in Al-Khobar (IPSA) is already drained. “We like very much to provide these services, but the real issue is the budget,” he told Saudi Gazette. The embassy spends $8,000 to $10,000 for the two-day visit of the ‘Embassy on Wheels' in Eastern Province every end of the month. “We have already asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to request the Department of Budget to provide us with more funds so that we could continue serving our Filipino community in Eastern Province,” Israel said. “Meanwhile with the ‘Embassy on Wheels' visit to Eastern Province postponed, the community, if possible, can authorize personnel to collect the completed passports. But for the renewal, personal appearance of the applicants is necessary. I hope the community will understand the problem we are facing,” the consul said.
