Top Left: Ambassador Maria Andrelita Austria delivering opening remarks. Top Right: Facilitator Adonis Sucalit leading discussions.  Bottom Right: Embassy personnel in group work. Bottom Left: Embassy participants with Mr. Sucalit

17 November 2023. Ottawa. In an effort to continuously improve its services to the public, the Embassy of the Philippines conducted another Client Service Workshop on 17 November 2023 at its Mindanao Hall. Conducted by Mr. Adonis Sucalit of Cornerstone Leadership and Management Solutions, the Workshop is part of its twin objectives of continuing personnel development and providing a more efficient and accessible service to the public.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Austria reminded that customer service excellence goes beyond a high client feedback rating, but is rather motivated by a sincere desire to serve the public. She further emphasized that “customer service is public service.”

During the workshop, sincere desire to help Kababayans, the ability to empathize, or “pagmamalasakit” and active listening are key components of a client-centric public service. Aside from communication strategies, the Workshop also equipped the Embassy personnel with practical approaches to conflict resolution and strengthening team dynamics.

The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa extends consular services to more than 70,000 Filipinos spread throughout the Canadian provinces of Eastern Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Nunavut, as well as the British territory of Bermuda. END