8 June 2012 – The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported that the long-sought renovations at the Embassy's chancery has been completed in time for the Philippine Independence Day community commemoration activities on June 10 (Sunday) at the Embassy premises.

The Embassy now boasts of a hotel-like reception area at the first floor, a receiving room for guests at the second floor, a new conference room and a more spacious community hall where the library used to be. The consular area was also expanded, resulting in a wider passport processing section and an interview area for its assistance to nationals (ATN) clients.

Outside, the consular waiting area was expanded and improved, with better counters to serve the public, and a new flat-screen television to entertain the clients while they wait their turn to facilitate their transactions. The Embassy has also maintained the free wi-fi connection for the use and enjoyment of its clients.

"The Embassy now reflects an open-work space concept, where our officers and staff are treated to areas which are light, airy and conductive to more productive work, and our clients can find comfort in. It is an Embassy chancery which our community can be proud of," Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said.

He lauded the efforts of Architect Bart Vista, his Filipino associates and his Malaysian collaborators for spearheading the renovations of the chancery.

Architect Vista has been in the residential construction sector in Malaysia for some 20 years. He considers the assistance in the chancery's renovation as his way of giving back to his fellow Filipinos and his home country.

The landscaping of the garden in front of the chancery, which adjoins a white gazebo was also improved. The gazebo was constructed in December 2011.

Renovations started in late February 2012, with the transfer of the service attaché offices to the annex building and of the administrative section to the main chancery building.

It continued in earnest in March 2012, when the second floor of the chancery housing the Embassy's political, economic and finance sections were renovated with wider windows, bigger workspaces, and better lighting. After a month, the first floor housing the consular and assistance-to-nationals (ATN) sections, the library and the reception area underwent renovations.

The chancery, which is located at Jalan Changkat Kia Peng, was originally built in 1962 as a two-storey residence, and was acquired by the Philippine Embassy in 1987. Renovations were made in 1993, and in early 2011, with the reroofing of the main building and updating of the electrical wirings.

The newly-renovated Embassy chancery formally opened to the public on May 28, where Philippine Vice President Jejomar C. Binay inaugurated the building as part of his two-day Official Working Visit in Malaysia.

The Independence Day commemoration activities include a parade on the streets around the Embassy, and a cultural program featuring Filipino artists from the Philippines and those based in Malaysia. END