BEIRUT - H.E. Raymond R. Balatbat paid a courtesy visit to Honorable Mayor Antoine El Helou at Baabda-Louaizeh Municipal Hall on 26 July 2023 to discuss administrative arrangements for the Embassy's recent transfer to the municipality of Baabda from Hadath where the Embassy’s Migrant Workers Office is currently located.

Baabda is the capital city of the Mount Lebanon governorate which is adjacent to Beirut. It now hosts a total of 15 diplomatic missions and key government institutions including the Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Defense, and the Mount Lebanon Justice Palace, among others.

Amb. Balatbat raised the importance of Baabda in its efforts to promote the welfare and protect the rights of migrant workers considering that it hosts approximately 10% of the Filipino migrant population in Lebanon. Post handled the resolution of several assistance-to-national cases in coordination with Baabda authorities.

Mayor El Helou warmly welcomed the Embassy’s recent transfer to Baabda as the latest addition to the number of diplomatic institutions in the area. He assured the Philippine Embassy of its safety due to its secure and strategic location. He also committed to assisting the Embassy with its administrative needs with the Baabda municipality. Furthermore, Mayor El Helou expressed appreciation for the warm and friendly nature of the Filipino people.

Both parties cordially expressed their interest to explore other areas of cooperation to expand the Embassy’s diplomatic relations with the Lebanese government on multiple levels.

H.E. Ambassador Raymond R. Balatbat with the Hon. Mayor Antoine El Helou of the Municipality of Baabda-Louaizeh.