New Philippine Consul General Ambrosio Brian Enciso with the Expat Media Special Edition magazine on January 5, 2025. EXPAT MEDIA

Newly installed Philippine Consul General in Dubai Ambrosio Brian Enciso has set his sights on faster, more convenient consular services and deeper engagement with the Filipino community. Enciso met with UAE-based journalists during his first public media engagement on Monday (January 5) at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, where he called on the media to remain active partners in disseminating accurate information and helping reach Filipinos in need. “One of my immediate priorities is to make our consular services more convenient and quicker,” Enciso said. “Everything that we can do here, we will try to do immediately.” Among the measures being studied are shorter waiting times through additional appointment slots, offsite consular missions outside Dubai, and courier-based delivery of documents. “There are plans for courier services integrated with our system, text alerts, door-to-door delivery — these are services people are already used to in Dubai,” he said. “What we want is to make the experience more pleasant, so when Filipinos come to the consulate, they also feel good about the process.” Enciso also hinted at the long-term goal of full digitalisation of Philippine government services, stressing that such a system must be implemented universally. “It’s possible that Dubai could be among the first, but the systems must be in place,” he said.

Media partnership and real-world impact

During the meet-and-greet, Expat Media Editor-in-Chief Florence Pia Yu highlighted the strong working relationship between the consulate, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), and the media — particularly in urgent cases involving Filipinos seeking help. “Many of our readers reach out to us when they are already in distress,” Yu said. “When cases require consular, Assistance to Nationals, or MWO intervention, we refer them directly and in our experience, our Philippine missions really help.” Yu cited Expat Media’s viral story of Ernesto Tawat, a Filipino who was stranded in the UAE for more than 30 years due to a legal case. “The family reached out to us to tell their story, and our report went viral in the UAE and Philippines,” Yu said. “Thankfully, the Philippine Embassy, Philippine Consulate, the MWO — particularly Labour Attaché John Rio Bautista — and DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac personally sprang into action. They helped Mr. Tawat and his wife finally return home to the Philippines and also provided financial assistance.” Yu also shared another recent case where swift consular action made a life-saving difference. “Just last week, A reader contacted us about a Filipino who needed urgent heart surgery after suffering a stroke,” she said. “His insurance only covered Dh1 million, but the procedure cost Dh1.6 million. Within just two hours of us informing the consulate, someone from Assistance to Nationals had already contacted him to work on the case.” Yu noted that as Expat Media approaches its 10th anniversary in the UAE this year, she hopes the consulate and MWO will continue building meaningful connections with both the media and the community.

A ‘home’ for Filipino talent and collaboration

Enciso said he plans to continue purposeful engagement with the Filipino community, including opening the consulate as a platform for cultural expression. “For example, the artworks by Filipino expats that we display here — we want this place to feel like a home,” he said. “We welcome collaborations, as long as they are within our capacity.” Beyond community service, Enciso underscored his role in advancing Philippine interests in the UAE. “This includes economic interests, migrant labour, and exploring economic opportunities between the Philippines and the UAE,” he said.

Who is Consul General Ambrosio Brian Enciso?

Enciso is a career diplomat who joined the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in 2003. He previously served as Consul at the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, China from 2008 to 2014, and as Deputy Consul General in Los Angeles, USA from 2016 to 2023. In Manila, he held key roles within the DFA, including Director for Southeast Asia and Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Office of United Nations and International Organizations, handling socio-cultural, labour, migration, health, and gender-related concerns. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked with the Office of the President–Presidential Management Staff. Enciso graduated cum laude from the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Economics. He also pursued further studies in Beijing and at the Fletcher School of Diplomacy at Tufts University. He speaks English, Filipino, German, and Mandarin Chinese. On December 10, Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti Al Maktoum, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Dubai, formally received Enciso’s consular credentials, welcoming him and reaffirming the strong ties between the UAE and the Philippines. PIA/MFD/Expat Media
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