DFA Mindanao Attends Inauguration of Honorary Consulate of Israel in Davao City

Photos taken during the inauguration ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of Israel for Mindanao in Davao City and the conferment of Honorary Consul Jorge Narciso Marquez on 06 October 2020 cutting of ribbon (top photo) and unveiling of marker (bottom photo). (DFA Mindanao photos)

DAVAO CITY 13 October 2020 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Mindanao attended the inauguration ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of Israel for Mindanao in Davao City and the conferment of Honorary Consul Jorge Narciso Marquez on 06 October 2020. The ceremony was led by Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz via video conference, while Consul Marquez was joined by 2nd District Councilor Augusto Javier Garcia Campos, III, Tourism Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan and DFA-Mindanao Representative Catherine L. Magno-Dejacto during the cutting of ribbon and the unveiling of marker at 117 Francisco Avenue, Juna Subdivision, Davao City. 

In a video message, Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte congratulated the Embassy of Israel and the State of Israel on the opening of its consulate in Davao City as another significant landmark in the long history of Philippine-Israel bilateral relations. He explained that the strong Israeli presence will contribute to Mindanao’s rise and will open new opportunities for investment and employment as well as people to people exchange.

During the event, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Jewish Association of the Philippines President Salito Malca, Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines President Yoray Ofek, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and Senators from Mindanao also extended their congratulatory messages on the occasion. DFA-Mindanao Assistant Secretary Uriel Norman R. Garibay also participated in the opening ceremony via Zoom. Moreover, virtual attendance of the members of diplomatic corps based in Davao City as well as officials of various LGUs in Mindanao witnessed the ceremony.

Also present in the inauguration ceremony were members of the immediate family of Consul Marquez, PNP Regional Director PBGen Filmore B. Escobal, Davao City Police Chief Col. John Kirby Kraft, Honorary Consul of Mexico Dr. Lourdes G. Garcia-Monteverde, President of Canadian Chamber of Commerce Davao City Chapter Leonilo Claudio, and President of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry John Carlo B. Tria.

Consul Marquez in his message emphasized that the opening of the Honorary Consulate of the State of Israel in Mindanao based in Davao City is a reinforcement of the stated policy of the government to promote a higher level of relations in economic and cultural cooperation. END

First row, from left to right: Guests during the Inauguration Ceremony: Tourism Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan, DFA-Mindanao Representative Catherine L. Magno-Dejacto, Mrs. Dolly Marquez, Honorary Consul of Mexico Dr. Lourdes G. Garcia-Monteverde, PNP Regional Director PBGen Filmore B. Escobal, and Davao City Police Chief Col. John Kirby Kraft. Second row, from left to right: President of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry John Carlo B. Tria, President of Canadian Chamber of Commerce Davao City Chapter Leonilo Claudio, Consul Jorge Marquez, and 2nd District Councilor Augusto Javier Garcia Campos III. (DFA Mindanao photo)