Foreign service exam for hopeful diplomats slated

The Philippine Consulate General yesterday announced that the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila has started accepting application for the foreign service officers’ examination which will be held in several locations this year.

The examination is part of the Philippine government’s overall efforts to attract the best and brightest into the foreign service and the country’s elite pool of diplomats.

Generally acknowledged to be one of the most rigorous and toughest qualifying examination in the Philippines, the FSO examinations is open to all qualified Filipinos.

Qualified applicants should be not more than 36 years old and have completed a four-year college course.

The exam is generally given annually with examinees coming from a wide sector of Philippine society such as the academe, the private sector, the government and the media.

The FSO examinations consist of three parts which are as follows:

Part I FSO pre-qualifying test: April 29, 2001

Venue:

1. Department of Foreign Affairs Pasay City;

2. Philippine Embassy Washington DC.;

3. Philippine Embassy Vienna; and,

4. Philippine Embassy Riyadh.

Part II FSO written examinations: June 21-23, 2001

Venue:

1. Pasay City;

2. Cebu City;

3. Iloilo City

4. Zamboanga City; and,

5. Davao City

Part III FSO oral examinations; to be determined later

After hurdling the pre-qualifying exams, applicants will have to take the written examinations which have the following subjects: English; Filipino; Philippine political, economic, social and cultural conditions; international affairs; world history; and one foreign language.

Finally, applicants who have passed the written examinations, will then have to take an oral exam, the date of which will be determined after the release of the results of the written examinations. This oral exam will test the composure, knowledge and oral fluency of the FSO candidate.

Successful examinees can look forward to a rewarding career in the foreign service with its opportunities for career growth, travel and to experience diverse and rich foreign cultures as well as the prestige of being the country’s official representative to other countries.

For application forms and further details, interested parties can contact the Philippine Consulate General at telephone numbers 234-1851; 234-1848; fax number: 234-1849 and at e-mail address: ph@gtepacifica.net.