THE Philippine Embassy yesterday afternoon held a ground breaking ceremony for the site of its new US$2.5 million Chancery at the entrance of the Diplomatic Enclave on Jalan Kebangsaan.
Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Alexander B Yano, Director Sheikh Fadillah of Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Filipino Association in Brunei President Edel Bartholomew, were among those shovelled the first concrete mixture into the Chancery’s foundation.
The Chancery to rise on a 1.1744-hectare (2.8-acre) lot behind the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports building, is targeted to be finished by April 21, 2012.
“Ours is the first embassy to be given approval by the Brunei government to build in the Diplomatic Enclave,” said then Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Virginia H Benavidez during the turnover of plans to the building contractor last year.
Other Philippine Embassy officials and staff, Filipino community leaders and representatives of the contractor, WSS Sdn Bhd, and local architect, Architect Ibrahim, witnessed the ceremony officially starting the construction of the Philippine Embassy’s permanent home after 26 years of diplomatic relations with Brunei, said Consul General and First Secretary Raymond Balatbat, chairperson of the Bids and Awards Committee.
“The Chancery will have a balance between security and having an open and welcoming atmosphere consistent with Filipino hospitality; will be modern and functional; will reflect the global Filipino architecture and will have a green and sustainable designs; incorporate environment, equity and economy in ensuring sustainable practices,” Balatbat said.
The Embassy is (LEED) compliant (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) which means its design saves water; it is energy efficient with the use of less air conditioning, and is environment friendly.
There are no fences and the security perimeter is part of the design. The embassy is the first building that will be seen when pedestrians and vehicles enter the area from the main street Jalan Kebangsaan.
When the Philippines and Brunei established diplomatic relations in 1984, the Philippine Embassy was located at no 473 Kg Pelambayan, Kota Batu.
On Feb 14, 1989, it moved to the 4th and 5th floors of the Badiah building in Seri Complex, “to make it more accessible to Filipino overseas workers who had to take d taxi to the old embassy premises, since there was no public bus going there,” said then Ambassador Eusebio Abaquin.
On Aug 14, 2002, the Philippine Embassy moved to its present location at No 17 Spg 126, Km 2, Jalan Tutong. Then Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas V Ople planted a mango tree on the Embassy grounds, during his visit during the time of Ambassador Benavidez, the Philippine’s first woman ambassador and, having served here for 14 years, the longest serving diplomat in Brunei.
The new Chancery, designed by world renown Philippine architect Palafox and Associates.
The new Chancery is designed to have all front line offices, Consular, Assistance to Nationals, Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and PagIbig, side by side with each other on the ground floor and readily accessible to the public, Balatbat said.
Sports and other recreational activities will be built for Filipinos to meet and organise social functions.
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