Gotianuy appointed Norwegian Honorary Consul for Cebu, NegOr

CEBU, Philippines - With the appointment of a Cebuano as Norway’s newest honorary consul, the Philippines expects to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries citing the academe and business as focus sectors.

On last Wednesday’s formal rites at the Marco Polo Plaza, Norway’s ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Knut Solem represented the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Cebu in appointing Yvette Candice G. Gotianuy, the incumbent chancellor of the University of Cebu (UC).

Gotianuy, who concurrently holds an executive function at the Cebu Technical School, also heads UC’s medical arm consisting of the St. Vincent General Hospital in Barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City and the would-be UC Medical Center at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City.

Solem revealed that it did not take long before the Norwegian government approved the appointment of Gotianuy, who is also the daughter of UC President Augusto Go.

The ambassador said that the installation will further expand the scope of foreign service to areas other than key provinces since aside from Cebu, Gotianuy will also serve as the consul for the province of Negros Oriental.

Solem also highlighted his support on a values-oriented type of service aside from one which promotes business and diplomatic ties, saying the values of honorary consuls constitute an essential part of the Norwegian foreign service.

The political title consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the people of the two countries.

As an honorary consul, Gotianuy will be closely working with the Norwegian government in extending assistance to its nationals here in the country, particularly those residing in the Visayas.

In addition, her office will also provide information to Filipinos wishing to travel to Norway, access to Philippine-Norwegian business opportunities and support in the processing of consular requirements such as passports, visas and maritime certificates.

Aside from helping expedite visa applications to Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Estonia and Finland, the consulate will also facilitate the processing of Norwegian passports, “legal capacity to marry” and other related services.

Free web-based network Wikipedia says that a consul is distinguished from an ambassador, the latter being a representative from one head of state to another.

There can be only one ambassador from one country to another, representing the first country's head of state to that of the second, and his or her duties revolve around diplomatic relations between the two countries.

However, there may be several consuls, one in each of several main cities, providing assistance with bureaucratic issues to both the citizens of the consul's own country travelling or living abroad and to the citizens of the country the consul resides in who wish to travel to or trade with the consul's country.

Currently, Norwegian shipping principals are actively involved in financing the education of 1,000 Maritime students in UC. This unique exchange program includes sending the students for apprenticeship on their third year on-board shipping vessels owned by Norwegian companies.

The Royal Norwegian Consulate in Cebu is located at the 2nd Floor of UC – Banilad Campus Building along Gov. Cuenco Avenue, Barangay Banilad, Cebu City. (FREEMAN)