by Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC)
Monday, Feb. 22, 2010 at 5:56 AM
epccla02@yahoo.com 818-749-0272 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, Ca 90026
The Philippine Embassy Chancery on Bataan St. in Washington is an expression of the state of the Philippines Today. Old, decrepit and ailing like the Philippine economy propped up by the remittances of Filipino workers abroad.
The ECPP NEWS elarned this from the Filipino writer Rodney Jaleco who said; “ blast from the past, the historic Philippine chancery finally reopens its doors in a few weeks.
The old chancery stands opposite the present Philippine Embassy building along Massachusetts Ave. NW. It was purchased in the 1930s by Resident Commissioner (the Philippine representative to the US Congress) Joaquin Elizalde. It served as the seat of the Philippine government-in-exile during World War II.
EPCC NEWS
February 20, 2010
OLD RP EMBASSY CHANCERY IN WASHINGTON DC CONSTRUCTED, LA CONSULATE LEASE EXTENDED
Los Angeles—The Philippine Embassy Chancery on Bataan St. in Washington is an expression of the state of the Philippines Today. Old, decrepit and ailing like the Philippine economy propped up by the remittances of Filipino workers abroad.
The ECPP NEWS elarned this from the Filipino writer Rodney Jaleco who said; “ blast from the past, the historic Philippine chancery finally reopens its doors in a few weeks.
The old chancery stands opposite the present Philippine Embassy building along Massachusetts Ave. NW. It was purchased in the 1930s by Resident Commissioner (the Philippine representative to the US Congress) Joaquin Elizalde. It served as the seat of the Philippine government-in-exile during World War II.
And to think the structure was in danger of being condemned just last year. A fire gutted its interior, was dangerously decrepit and infested by rodents. The DC government slapped it a $36,000 tax.
New Chancery in DC
Consul General Domingo Nolasco revealed construction is in full swing – they’re using the first floor for consular services – and expected to be completed in March.
“This is going to be a big help for the hundreds of people who have to transact business with the consular section,” he explained.
The present consular office can probably comfortably accommodate only 20 people, forcing the spillover to wait outside – an unwelcome proposition in winter or in the peak of summer.
“We have to be concerned because many come from really far away places, some as far away as Alabama, Tennessee or Florida just to work on their papers,” Nolasco said.
Nolasco said they are still spending under budget, which amounts to $350,000.
He asserts the money spent for renovating the old chancery is an investment.
Consular services not only generate revenues, it will also boost chances the historic edifice’s diplomatic privilege can be restored and the Philippines will be spared paying taxes on the property”.
Los Angeles Consulate
The EPCC NEWS also received the news that the LA Consular office in Los Angeles has renewed its lease on the 5th floor of the NARA Building in 3600 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles.
The consulate office has been there for the longest time since the FVR era. The Consulate is a frequent scenes of demonstrations and rallies against the Philippine government. Anti-Estrada forces occupied the consulate in January 2001.
It was during the overthrow of the Philippine President Joseph Estrada during the People’s Power 2 revolution of EDSA.
It's a stroke of fate that the Philippine Cosnulate is housed on a Japanese bank when the Japan, then an imperialist country occupied the Philippines during the second world war. Now, the Philippine consulate is paying the Japanese bank for a space in the United States.
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