Embassy of the Philippines, Bandar Seri Begawan

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Embassy of the Philippines, Bandar Seri Begawan
Pasuguan ng Pilipinas sa Bandar Seri Begawan
Kedutaan Filipina di Bandar Seri Begawan
Pasuguan ng Pilipinas seal.svg
Embassy of the Philippines in Bandar Seri Begawan.jpg
Embassy of the Philippines, Bandar Seri Begawan
Location Bandar Seri Begawan
AddressSimpang 336, Diplomatic Enclave, Jalan Kebangsaan
Coordinates 4°55′24.3″N114°57′27.1″E / 4.923417°N 114.957528°E / 4.923417; 114.957528
Ambassador Christopher B. Montero
Website http://www.philippine-embassybrunei.com

The Embassy of the Philippines in Bandar Seri Begawan is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the Sultanate of Brunei. Opened in 1984 after Brunei gained independence from the United Kingdom, it is currently located in the Diplomatic Enclave of Bandar Seri Begawan, behind the offices of the country's Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Contents

History

A Philippine diplomatic presence in Brunei was established in 1984, immediately after the Philippines recognized Bruneian independence from the United Kingdom. The Philippine Embassy at the time was located at 473 Kampong Pelambayan in Mukim Kota Batu, and was located there until it relocated to the fourth and fifth floors of the Badi'ah Complex on Jalan Tutong on February 14, 1989, mostly due to complaints that the old location was not easily accessible by public transport. [1]

On August 14, 2002, the Philippine Embassy moved down the street to its own compound on 17 Simpang 126, Km 2, Jalan Tutong, with the Embassy vacating its old offices by 2003. [2] While the Embassy was headquartered there, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople planted a mango tree on the Embassy grounds in honor of Virginia H. Benavidez, who as ambassador at the time became not only the first female head of the Brunei mission, but also became the mission's longest-serving diplomat. [1]

In 2009, coinciding with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Philippine-Bruneian ties, it was announced that a new Philippine Embassy chancery will be constructed on a 1.1744-hectare (2.902-acre) lot in Bandar Seri Begawan's newly designated Diplomatic Enclave, the first diplomatic mission to relocate to the district. [3] Construction of the new chancery began on April 16, 2010, [1] and the new building was inaugurated by President Benigno Aquino III during his state visit to Brunei on June 2, 2011. Operations at the new building began two months later on August 2, 2011. [2]

Building

The new chancery of the Philippine Embassy was built at cost of $2.5 million, and is the first building that visitors will see upon entering the Diplomatic Enclave. [4] Designed by Felino Palafox, Jr. and built by Bruneian contractor Wong Sie Sing (WSS) Sdn Bhd, the two-story building is LEED-compliant, with no security fences surrounding the building. [3] The building's design, which takes into account Islamic aesthetic forms, was inspired by the nipa hut, combined with various forms from Asian architectural styles. [4] Then-Consul General Raymond Balatbat, meanwhile, remarked that the building's design will combine form and function, as well as openness, security and Filipino hospitality. [3]

A number of energy-saving elements are designed into the building's architecture. These include a green roof to dissipate heat, high ceilings to allow entry of natural light, and a room arrangement that allows for as much intake of natural light as possible. The building is arranged along an east-west axis to minimize direct sunlight exposure, and areas which are directly exposed to sunlight have sun buffers installed to mitigate the harsh rays of the sun. [4]

The building's walls are primarily green, which represents hope and growth, and is also the color of Islam. Antique mirrors are also installed throughout the building as a symbol of the rich culture of Islamic countries, and the building's centerpiece is a teardrop-shaped crystal chandelier which represents Brunei's major export, oil. [4]

The Embassy's front-line offices in Brunei are all located on the first floor in order to make them as accessible to the public as possible. Offices which occupy the first floor include the Consular Section, the Assistance to Nationals Section, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, and the Brunei offices of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund). [4] A social hall and a sports hall will also be built on the Embassy grounds as part of the second phase of the chancery's construction. [5]

Staff and activities

The Philippine Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan is currently headed by Ambassador Christopher B. Montero, who had been appointed to the position by President Rodrigo Duterte on January 23, 2019. [6] Prior to becoming Ambassador, Montero, a career diplomat, was deployed to the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, where he served as Ambassador to Cambodia. [7] His appointment was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on February 9, 2019, [8] and he presented his credentials to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on September 18, 2019. [9]

The Embassy's activities center around providing to the needs and welfare of the large community of Overseas Filipino Workers and other Filipinos in Brunei, such as coordinating with the Bruneian government to mandate raises in the salaries of Filipino domestic helpers in the country, [10] as well as providing training to local OFWs. [11] In addition to its labor functions, it has also worked in facilitating the furthering of cultural and economic ties between the Philippines and Brunei. These include hosting art exhibits by Filipino artists, [12] organizing Filipino language classes, [13] [14] and encouraging Bruneian businesses to set up shop in Zamboanga City. [15]

In 2011, OFWs in Brunei published a petition in the Philippine Star , criticizing the Embassy and other agencies of the Philippine government for imposing burdensome requirements that they say were tantamount to abuse. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei</span> Country in Southeast Asia

Brunei, formally Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline on the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with its territory bifurcated by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Brunei is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo; the remainder of the island is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. As of 2020 the country had a population of 460,345, of whom approximately 100,000 resided in the capital and largest city Bandar Seri Begawan. The government of Brunei is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan of Brunei, and it implements a fusion of English common law and jurisprudence inspired by Islam, including sharia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bandar Seri Begawan</span> Capital city of Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of Brunei. It is officially a municipal area with an area of 100.36 square kilometres (38.75 sq mi) and an estimated population of 100,700 as of 2007. It is part of Brunei-Muara District, the smallest yet most populous district which is home to over 70 per cent of the country's population. It is the country's largest urban centre and nominally the country's only city. The capital is home to Brunei's seat of government, as well as a commercial and cultural centre. It was formerly known as Brunei Town until it was renamed in 1970 in honour of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei and the father of the current Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Muhtadee Billah</span> Crown prince of Brunei

Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Hassanal Bolkiah is the eldest son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his wife Queen Saleha. He is the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam and is first in the line of succession to the Bruneian throne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–United States relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between Brunei and the United States date from the 19th century. On 6 April 1845, USS Constitution visited Brunei. The two countries concluded a Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce and Navigation in 1850, which remains in force today. The United States maintained a consulate in Brunei from 1865 to 1867.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–Philippines relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brunei and the Philippines have formal diplomatic relations. Brunei has an embassy in Makati, Metro Manila while the Philippines has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–Germany relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brunei and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1984. Brunei has an embassy in Berlin, and Germany has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–Japan relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brunei–Japan relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between Brunei and Japan. Brunei has an embassy in Tokyo, and Japan has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–Qatar relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brunei and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 1991. Brunei has an embassy in Doha, and Qatar has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Brunei</span>

Tourism in Brunei is governed by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, which is planning to diversify Brunei's tourism to include adventure tourism, ecotourism and Islamic tourism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof</span> Bruneian politician

Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof ; born 22 June 1956, is a Bruneian nobleman, military officer and politician who currently serves as a Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II. He is a former member of the Legislative Council of Brunei, and previously served as the Minister of Defence II from 2018 to 2022, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports from 2015 to 2018, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), and Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Defence (Brunei)</span> Bruneian government ministry responsible for military and national security

The Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam, officially abbreviated as MinDef, is a cabinet-level ministry of the Government of Brunei. It is responsible for the country's national security and military forces, the latter collectively known as the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF); Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei, (ABDB). It is Brunei's ministry of defence; and was established on 1 January 1984, when Brunei Darussalam achieved independence from the United Kingdom. The Ministry of Defence leadership presently consists of a minister ; its incumbent is the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also the Supreme Commander of the RBAF / ABDB. A deputy minister is second-in-command at the MinDef.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of Indonesia, Bandar Seri Begawan</span>

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bandar Seri Begawan is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam. Since 1 July 2014, the chancery has been located at Simpang 336-43, Kebangsaan Street in Kampong Kawasan Diplomatik. Prior to this location, the embassy was located at Simpang 528, Lot 4498, Muara Street in Kampong Sungai Hanching Baru.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the Philippines, Beirut</span> Diplomatic mission in Lebanon

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diplomatic Enclave, Brunei</span> Village in Brunei

Diplomatic Enclave Area is a neighbourhood in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei, as well as the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 85 in 2016. It is one of the villages within Mukim Kianggeh. The postcode is BA2313.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fakhrul Razi</span> Bruneian singer

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Alabastro, Tony (April 17, 2010). "New Philippine Embassy Chancery construction starts". Borneo Bulletin . Brunei Press. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Alabastro, Tony (June 27, 2011). "Philippine Embassy closes to move to new address". Borneo Bulletin . Brunei Press. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 Alabastro, Tony (June 27, 2009). "New Philippine Embassy Chancery in Diplomatic Enclave". Borneo Bulletin . Brunei Press. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Alabastro, Tony (June 2, 2013). "PH Embassy's green design is tourist attraction and environment leader in Brunei". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  5. ↑ "PHL officials in Brunei seek rerouting of buses near chancery". GMA News and Public Affairs. December 20, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  6. ↑ Roque, EJ (January 23, 2019). "PRRD names ex-defense chief as special envoy to EU". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  7. ↑ Legaspi, Amita O. (December 17, 2014). "Appointments body confirms 7 ambassadors, 2 foreign service officers". GMA News and Public Affairs . Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  8. ↑ Ager, Maila (February 6, 2019). "5 Philippine envoys get CA panel's nod". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  9. ↑ "18.09.19 Letters of Credence and Audience Ceremonies" (Press release). Office of the Prime Minister of Brunei. September 19, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  10. ↑ "DOLE: Minimum salary of domestic workers in Brunei now is USD 400". The Manila Times . February 10, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  11. ↑ "PHL Embassy-Brunei conducts skills, language training". BusinessMirror . September 19, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Pinoy artist holds exhibit in Brunei". The Philippine Star . January 21, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  13. ↑ Alabastro, Tony (April 7, 2013). "Bruneians want to learn Filipino, too". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  14. ↑ Pilapil, Jaime (April 4, 2011). "33 Pinoy kids plant seeds of Filipino identity". The Manila Times . Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Brunei businesses invited to set up food processing zones in Zamboanga". Philippine Daily Inquirer . October 4, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  16. ↑ Puno, Kenneth (August 5, 2011). "Petition from OFWs in Brunei Darussalam". The Philippine Star . Retrieved November 27, 2020.
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