Philippine Embassy has shown ‘professionalism, kindness,’ asserts ANCOP USA

The faith-based organization, Answering the Cry of the Poor — or ANCOP USA – praised the Philippine Embassy for its “professionalism, concern and kindness.”

Through its Executive Director, Roger Santos, a TOFA-NY 2014 awardee for Community Service, ANCOP USA said, “Since 2012, (we have) had close working relationships on various Philippine-related projects with the Philippine Embassy. In all those years, we could only be thankful for the professionalism, concern and kindness that were shown to us by the embassy staff led by Consul General Emil T. Fernandez.”

Fernandez and his staff, according to the statement, “graciously welcomed us when we first introduced ANCOP USA. When we held the 2013 ANCOP USA Grand Finals in Virginia, we received full support from the embassy, which led to the event’s total success. Consul General Fernandez was with us in the auditorium, together with more than 2,000 people, mostly Filipinos, from the Northeastern States.”

The organization issued the statement in light of reports about alleged uncaring attitude and inefficiency on the part of Philippine Embassy consular personnel.

The report, published by The FilAm, did not mention Fernandez by name and was specific to passport-related services. It contained comments of Filipinos in metropolitan D.C. about their unsavory experiences related to alleged “rudeness” and “favoritism” by consular staff.

Those specific complaints had been answered in a separate statement by Fernandez, who heads the consular office.

“Let us remember that all ANCOP USA projects are aimed at helping the poor people in the Philippines,” said Santos.

He continued: “Ambassador Jose and Mrs. Cuisia joined the CFC ANCOP Walk in Maryland one morning in 2013.

“When Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda struck in Leyte, Samar and Iloilo, and the big earthquake shook and destroyed Bohol’s old churches and people’s houses, we answered the initiatives taken by the embassy to help the victims and to restore the destroyed churches,” revealed Santos.

“In fact, in a week’s time, our group, together with our friends at the embassy will meet with Archbishop Auza, the papal ambassador to the United Nations in New York City, in order to discuss the Bohol Restoration efforts and the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis to the United States in September, among others,” he added.