PRESS RELEASE
WDC-85-2018
19 December 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. held a two-day workshop, dubbed “Expanding Frontline Frontiers: Better Service Through Better Understanding,” for personnel of the Consular Section on 29-30 November 2018, as part of continuing efforts to improve its frontline services.
The interactive sessions were designed to help instill and reinforce in consular personnel the reasons why they are in the Philippine foreign service.
The workshop highlighted the importance of active listening and empathy to enable personnel to adequately address client needs and also to support each other in the process.
The workshop assessed the most common stressors for both clients and frontline personnel and identified areas for improvement in the physical workspace, as well as communication strategies in order to mitigate them.
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez noted that the Embassy is and will continue to be relentless in its efforts to deliver only the best to its clients.
He said, “Promoting the well-being of our nationals abroad is a pillar of Philippine foreign policy. The Consular Section has my full support as it finds more and better ways to help, protect and serve our kababayans in the United States.”
Ms. Maria Teodora S. Dizon of Better Steps Psychology, Inc. conducted the workshop. She has conducted wellness and similar workshops for the personnel of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and other Philippine diplomatic missions.
Group photo of the Embassy’s consular section led by Consul General Renato Villa (seated, 2nd from right) with Ms. Maria Teodora S. Dizon of Better Steps Psychology, Inc. (seated, 2nd from left).