By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

Addressing the audience, Relacion said that when the Philippine government opened the old office in Doha in May 1992, the OFW population was only about 20,000.

“The chancery building where we used to work until December 31, 2012 was the same building that served the Filipinos since 1994, though during that span of time our population here has increased tenfold,” he said.

The ambassador estimates that there are more than 200,000 OFWs now in Qatar, considered as the 3rd largest expatriate group next to Indians and the Nepalese. “It is just fitting that we move to this bigger building.”

Relacion had the chance to visit the old embassy office in 2007 during a special audit mission.

Although strategically located, he admitted that the area, especially the consular services area, was small considering the size of the community.

Relacion thanked the department of foreign affairs headed by secretary Albert Del Rosario for effecting the transfer to the new embassy office which started operating in January.

Among those who were present on the occasion were Tina Monzon-Palma of Bantay Bata 163, Century Properties vice president for global sales Shalamar Puzon, Al Sulaiteen Group chairman Abdullah Salem al-Sulaiteen and general manager Yassin Mohamed, and leaders of various Filipino organisations in Qatar.

Philippine School of Doha principal Alexnder Acosta, United Architects of the Philippines adviser/consultant Jhin Tabuzo and Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers president Arnel Punsalan also attended the event.

nwhile, Mohamed praised the move. He also vowed to fully support the Filipino community in different projects and activities.

Citing their honesty, reliability and hospitality, Mohamed described Filipinos as one of the best expatriate groups in Qatar.

It is learnt that the Al Sulaiteen Group, the sponsor of the event, has been employing many Filipinos over the last 20 yeas. It is into landscaping, information technology and known to be amongst the biggest agriculture companies in Qatar, according to Mohamed. He said they have an exclusive joint venture with Century Properties.

Meanwhile, Relacion said securing passports and renewal will now be easier and faster. Aside from the three windows for various transactions, Relacion said separate rooms are allotted for securing certificates and clearances which are available at the civil registry office and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office.

It also has offices for vice consuls and foreign affairs staff. Embassy affairs, meetings and conferences will be held in a bigger room on the third floor.