
Over 50 Filipino community organisations joined the 25 May gathering to discuss updates, celebrate heritage, and strengthen community ties.
The Philippine Embassy in Singapore convened its third Ugnayan: Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, 25 May 2025, drawing over 50 leaders and representatives from various Filipino community organisations across the city-state. The meeting served as a platform for information sharing, community updates, and open dialogue on recent developments affecting Filipinos in Singapore.

Ambassador Medardo G. Macaraig welcomed the attendees and expressed his gratitude for the community’s strong participation in the recent historic online overseas voting, which concluded on 12 May. He encouraged continued support for Filipino-owned businesses—shops, food vendors, and entrepreneurs—especially in celebration of National Heritage Month. The Ambassador also noted the ongoing political transition in Singapore under newly appointed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, assuring the community that no significant policy changes are expected, given the continuity of leadership in key ministries. He shared the Philippines’ anticipation of Prime Minister Wong’s official visit in the near future.
First Secretary and Consul Joyleen E. Santos highlighted the successful and smooth conduct of the month-long overseas voting, thanking community leaders for their support in outreach and voter education. Meanwhile, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Joy Anne B. Lai provided a progress update on the construction of the new Philippine Chancery at Nassim Road, set to be completed before the fourth quarter of 2025. The new facility will offer improved consular services and event spaces for the Filipino community.
Newly appointed Assistant Labor Attaché Agnes L. Pabalan of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO)-Singapore introduced initiatives to streamline contract verification processes, aiming to reduce wait times and enhance accessibility for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Further updates from OWWA and Pag-IBIG covered a range of membership services and financial assistance programmes.
The Embassy’s Cultural and Filipino Community Relations Sections, led by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Renee Gayle M. Chua, outlined a slate of upcoming events that celebrate Filipino heritage and promote community engagement. These include concerts, collaborative activities, and major events such as the BNG Run on 8 June, Isang Bangkang Malaya on 29 June, and the highly anticipated Fiesta ng Pamilyang Pilipino on 17 August.