New Philippine Embassy annex building draws mixed reactions

Filipinos in the Central and Eastern regions of the Kingdom have expressed mixed reactions regarding the plan of the Philippine Embassy to construct a three-story consular annex building in its premises.
The building will be constructed at the site where the basketball court is and where social functions involving the Filipino community are held, like the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day anniversary recently.
“If it’s for the better, then it’s okay. However, it makes the heart sink because the Filipinos and their embassy officials could not have fun anymore by having sports activities or social functions,” said Michael M. Pacheco, who works for MEDAD Real Estate Development Comp.
Dionisio B. Tabuco, Jr, a Filipino community leader in Buraidah, Qassim, expressed the same view, saying that “as it is, the Filipino community and the embassy officials are not interacting closely.”
“Aside from the consular services for which the Filipino community in the Saudi capital goes to the Philippine Embassy, there won’t be other reasons for them to go there anymore like playing basketball or social interaction with their officials,” he said.
In Alkhobar, Eduardo R. Rodriguez, said, “If the officials think it’s for the benefit of the community, then let it be. They claim that with the additional building, all services such as labor services will be obtained under one roof.”
He noted, however, that many Filipinos don’t have residence permits which makes it difficult for them to enter the Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) and seek help from officials of the embassy and its attached agencies.
In a statement, the embassy announced that it has signed an agreement with ERAM Consulting Engineers for a detailed engineering design (DED) of the proposed consular annex building.
“The planned new 3-story building will be more spacious with upgraded premises and facilities which will allow the embassy clients to have more convenient experience, specially for those who will avail of consular services such as passport and releasing, authentication and notarial services,” the embassy said.