The Philippines Wants To Strengthen Ties With Kuwait

One of the most difficult assignments for Philippine ambassadors to the Middle East is to attend to the needs and provide help to the more than 275,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who live and work in Kuwait. Expectations from the Filipino community in Kuwait are high when a new ambassador or chargé d'affaires (CDA) is posted there, and living up to this trust placed in them is frequently the first hurdle that envoys posted here confront. However, this is not expected to be a problem for the newly appointed Chargé d'affaires of the Philippines Embassy in Kuwait. The Honorable Jose Cabrera is a seasoned diplomat who has worked in some of the Middle East's most difficult locations.

Since his arrival on July 17, 2022, CDA Cabrera, who now holds the rank of Chief of Mission II, has been acting as the Philippine Embassy's interim Chargé d'Affaires. He has held a number of roles over the years in both the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Philippine diplomatic missions abroad. He held a number of positions at DFA, including Senior Special Assistant in the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA), Executive Director in the Office of Middle East & African Affairs (OMEAA), Special Assistant in the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA), Director in the Office of European Affairs (OEA), and Principal Assistant in the Office of Fiscal Management.

His overseas assignments include serving as Minister at the Philippine embassy in Egypt, Chargé d'Affaires at the embassy in Nigeria, First Secretary and Consul General in Cambodia before becoming Minister, Second Secretary and Consul in the United Arab Emirates, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul in Pakistan.

When asked which of his postings presented the greatest challenges, CDA Cabrera responded that while each posting is unique and varied and each country differs from the next, the requirements of the people remain constant. The living conditions, problems to be solved, or host government difficulties may vary, but overall, everything is in balance. CDA Cabrera claims that he is familiar with many of the worries and problems that the community in Kuwait has because of his experience from years of service in the area. "Even if the problems may be identical, the majority can be resolved by streamlining consular services, providing prompt help to nationals, or interacting with the community, but we analyse each situation separately because they are all equally essential to the government,"

Speaking further on enhancing the consular services offered to OFWs, CDA Cabrera noted that moving the Embassy to a bigger, more practical site will be one of the significant adjustments. "We have looked at a number of locations in Kuwait and are currently looking for a new one. The goal is to provide a larger space so that OFWs can file their paperwork more swiftly and easily. Since most OFWs must use public transportation to go around, the building should also be conveniently situated, according to CDA Cabrera.

With regard to modifications within the embassy, CDA Cabrera disclosed that they had investigated the "One Country Team" strategy, a management guideline designed to bring together all affiliated agencies of the Philippine government to work closely with one another and with good coordination. According to CDA Cabrera, "the efforts have been geared towards smooth and close coordination between the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Social Security System, Pag Ibig Fund, and more, with all of these efforts aimed solely to server OFWs better, and in a more efficient manner."

CDA Cabrera was familiar with previous conflicts between the Philippines and Kuwait, which he describes as odd and unexpected, prior to his deployment to Kuwait. According to CDA Cabrera, "It temporarily hampered the two countries' relations, but it was swiftly resolved as both countries are eager to cultivate solid connections with one another." In order to further develop bilateral ties, he noted, the embassy has a new mandate to engage with the Kuwaiti government more closely.

He stated that additional consultations will be held in the upcoming months with a focus on ways to develop meaningful and beneficial partnerships in all areas that are important to both Kuwaiti and Filipino workers.

"Kuwait is an ally of the Embassy in many ways, not just in providing services but also in resolving pertinent problems that concern both nations," said the ambassador. To help strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations and to promote peace and goodwill between Filipino and Kuwaiti citizens, the Philippine Embassy will offer full cooperation and increased involvement, according to the Philippine envoy.

According to CDA Cabrera's message to the Filipino community in Kuwait, tensions and diversity are unavoidable given the size of the Filipino workforce there. Despite these disputes, it is encouraging to see that Filipinos in Kuwait remain one cohesive nation, tied together by our shared cultural history. This contrast between diversity and unity shows that although Filipinos may have different aspirations, lifestyles, and goals for their sports, cultures, and artistic endeavours, or they may differ depending on the region from which they are originally from, they all still remain one nation and gather in groups to enrich their experiences. As long as it stays within reason and does not cause harm, diversity is desirable.

We must continue to remain a strong community since each of us strives to accomplish our dreams, which can only be done by working abroad. In order to earn and save money for ourselves and our families back home, we must take whatever legal action is necessary. We learned through COVID-19 that nothing is permanent because many people lost their employment and were put in trying circumstances. It also taught us to manage our money wisely. Everyone in this room has the opportunity to change their lives, so don't miss out or blow your chances. Rest assured that the Philippine Embassy will be here to help you with all of your documentation, passport, and other needs.

In this regard, we are enhancing our offerings to make it simpler for all of you to use them. The Embassy will be available to help you and find answers to your concerns if you run into issues with employment, legal issues, or other connected things, CDA Cabrera concluded. CDA Jose Cabrera was raised in Zamboanga City, Philippines, where he was born. His early education was completed at the Ateneo De Zamboanga, where he also earned a B.S. in Commerce with a Major in Accounting in 1988. His employment has included management and policy responsibilities, diplomatic missions, and consular work. His duties in his assignments included policy research, analysis, and formulation; conducting diplomacy, including engagements and negotiations on political, security, and economic concerns, particularly during overseas assignments; playing various roles in inbound and outbound delegations; providing assistance to Filipino nationals abroad; and managing and administering consular services and chancery affairs at various Philippine missions abroad.

 

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