13 July 2005 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo and Secretary of Tourism Joseph “Ace” Durano will lead the Philippine Consular Corps in the United States and more than 500 Filipino-American participants of the First Ambassador’s/Consuls’ General Tour at a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Malacañang Palace on 14 July 2005 as part of the national development strategy, jointly developed with the Department of Tourism, that positions tourism as a leading engine of Philippine economic growth.

“I welcome our Filipino-American friends who are participating in this Tour at their own expense to once again see the beauty and experience the Philippines, and I commend Ambassador Albert del Rosario and the Philippine Consuls General in the United States for successfully organizing this grand Tour,” Secretary Romulo said.

The Consuls General and Honorary Consuls General in the United States, and the 527 Filipino-Americans began arriving on 13 July 2005 from Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Louisiana, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.  They were met at the airport by Ambassador Albert del Rosario of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, and DFA officials led by Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Ariel Abadilla.

The Consular Corps is composed of Consul General Blesila C. Cabrera of the Chicago Philippine Consulate General (PCG), Consul General Eva Betita of the Honolulu PCG, Consul General Teresita Mendoza of the Agana PCG, Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr., of the Los Angeles PCG, Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong of the New York PCG, Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez of the San Francisco PCG, Honorary Consul General Raoul Donato of the Atlanta Philippine Honorary Consulate General (PHCG), Honorary Consul General Cielo Martinez of the New Orleans PHCG, and Honorary Consul General Angelo Macatangay of the South Florida PHCG.

The Tour, the first of its kind organized, is designed to bring overseas Filipinos – many of whom have not visited the Philippines for many years – back to the country to enjoy its beauty and diverse tourism landscape, and is also intended to encourage young Filipino-Americans, who may never have visited the Philippines, to visit as well.

Aside from visiting tourist spots in Metro Manila, the participants will also attend a trade/investment fair to allow them to explore the opportunities available in the Philippines for retirees and potential investors.  The participants may also choose from a variety of other local tour packages to attractions outside Manila.

The tourism-oriented initiative is spearheaded by the Philippine Embassy in Washington and the 11 Philippine Consulates General and Honorary Consulates General in the United States, with the cooperation of the Department of Tourism, Filipino communities around the United States, and the travel industry.

The Tour itself is part of the 6th Consuls General Conference, the annual meeting of Heads of Philippine Posts in the United States for comprehensive discussions of current and outstanding issues and concerns with the United States in the areas of trade and investments, tourism promotion and other business opportunities, economic diplomacy, political and socio-cultural diplomacy, and assistance to nationals.  END
 
 

/jay