ROME, Italy – The new Philippine envoy to Italy was warmly accepted by Filipino community leaders in Rome.

Ambassador Romeo Manalo joined FilCom leaders in a meeting held at the embassy in Rome.

Filipino migrant workers waited for 5 months for the deployment of a new ambassador.

Manalo replaced Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier who went back to the Philippines. He formally presented his credentials to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano last July 5, 2010.

Filipinos hope that the new ambassador will develop the services of the Philippine embassy.

“Para sa akin, iyong bago nating ambassador nakakatuwa kasi dahil sa tingin ko maganda ang kanyang kalalabasan,” said Fhe Bundalian.

“Ang hiling ko lang sana ay iyong loob ng takbo ng embahada ay maibigay ang mga pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino,” said Arnel Lacson.

The group called Concerned Citizen had opposed the recall of Lhuillier last December. Nevertheless, they expressed confidence in Manalo’s qualification and his long years in service.

“Wala kaming against sa pagkakaupo ni Ambassador Manalo. Unang-una, masaya kami kasi siya ay career at hindi pulitiko na magagawa niya ang bagay na dapat niyang gawin,” said Jerry Benjamin, chairman of Concerned Citizen in Rome.

The group said Manalo must strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and the Italian government to improve job opportunities and working conditions of OFWs.

“Magkaroon sana tayo ng bilateral agreement kasi marami tayong matatalinong kababayan na pagdating dito ay nagiging domestic sana iyon ang pinakamalaking pangarap na magkaroon ng pagkaunawaan ang dalawang bansa,” said Boss Ramos, vice chairman of Concerned Citizen in Rome.

Furthermore, they added that the value and importance of pension for OFWs should be given priority.

“Pahalagahan din ng ating ambassador iyong future o kinabukasan ng ating mga OFWs lalo na't marami na rin sa atin ang magre-retire,” said the group’s secretary general, Augie Diaz.

Manalo vows to help Pinoys
 
Meanwhile, Manalo promised to do his best to improve the conditions and skills of Filipinos in Italy.

“As you very well know, pag nakakita ng Pilipino ang tingin agad ay katulong. Gusto kong ipakita sa lahat ng mga Italyano at sa Pilipino sa isang photographic exibit na i-iikot ko sa buong Italya ang kagalingan ng Pinoy at kung sino tayo at kung saan tayo papunta,” he said.

He added that he is ready to take on the challenge of improving the lives of OFWs in Italy.

“As a new Filipino ambassador here, gumawa ako ng isang set of programs para magkaroon ng collaboration between the Philippine Embassy, the various associations here in Italy, ang mga consigliere aggiunti at iba pang Filipino community dito. Nag presenta ako ng aking thrusts--the thrusts that the Philippine embassy would like to take in order to promote the interests of the Filipino community here,” Manalo said.