17 February 2005 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo today emphasized the role of the Muslim community in the Department as he swore in the new set of officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs Muslim Personnel Association (DFAMPA) in a simple ceremony held at the Carlos P. Garcia Hall.

The Secretary congratulated the new set of officers and gave them assurances of the administration’s support for their programs and policies for the year. “The Association plays an important role in promoting camaraderie among Muslim and Christian personnel in the Department. Their cultural and religious information drives provide a form of inter-faith dialogue and are essential in establishing a deeper understanding of the Muslim faith,” he added.

The new set of officers are: Abdulhamid Alawi (President), Layda Alim (Vice-President), Sagusara Launto (Secretary General), and Saifoden Cabugatan (Treasurer). The Board of Directors is composed of Honorary Chairman Gonarrao Musor, Abdurraheym S.Y. Macud, Abdulhalim Langco, Ibrahim Ulama, Gangco Punguinaguina, Boscay Acraman, Mohammad Issa Victor Ballesteros, and Norayda Bensani de Guzman.

The new DFAMPA officers likewise assured the Secretary that “the organization and its new set of officers would do their best to contribute to the Department’s mission of advancing the interest of the country and of the Filipino people in the world community.”

The DFAMPA, which has 45 members in the Home Office and more than 60 members in the Foreign Service Posts and Regional Consular Offices, was organized on 31 July 1984 by Mr. Noli Pangandaman, DFAMPA’s founder. It aims to promote friendship, camaraderie and cooperation among the Muslim community in the Department.

Currently, it provides cultural and religious information, establishes exchange programs and grants scholarships to qualified Muslim personnel. The Association also sponsors the annual Eid’l Fitr celebration in the DFA. END