DFA CO Puerto Princesa Celebrates Independence Day on 12 June 2024
PUERTO PRINCESA 18 June 2024 – In celebration of the 126th Philippine independence day, the DFA Consular Office in Puerto Princesa (CO Puerto Princesa) personnel joined the commemorative rites organized by the City Government of Puerto Princesa at the Liwasang Rizal, Puerto Princesa City on 12 June 2024. The activity started with a Holy Mass at 6:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion followed by military honors and a wreath laying ceremony at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal that stands at the square right in front of the Cathedral.
Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron, Armed Forces of the Philippines - Western Command Deputy Commander Brig Gen. Amado de la Paz, and City Philippine National Police Chief Col. Ronie Bacuel led the ceremonial rites attended by city government officials, heads and employees of local and national government agencies, students, and members of the academe.
After the ceremonial rites, Head of Consular Office (HCO) Liza Jane V. Estalilla, hosted a Filipino brunch for CO Puerto Princesa personnel at the DFA staff house. They held a short program where the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn entitled “Panahon ng Pagbabago” and the Bagong Pilipinas Pledge “Panata sa Bagong Pilipinas” were sung and recited in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 52 of the Office of the President. The videotaped message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was shown followed by the reading of the Independence Day message of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo by HCO Estalilla.
In her message, HCO Estalilla emphasized the need for all CO Puerto Princesa employees to be more proactive, vigilant, and passionate, in carrying out their duties of safeguarding the integrity of the Philippine passport and supporting social and environment programs as the Filipino nation faces various threats to its national security, environment, and social well-being. END 
