24 August 2016 – Honorary Consul to Dallas Ethel Mercado, accompanied by her spouse, Mr. Gus Mercado, Executive Director of the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce-Texas (PACC-TX), called on Philippine Consul General to Los Angeles Adelio Angelito S. Cruz on August 18. 

Honorary Consul Mercado reported the developments in Texas, particularly with the growing population of Filipino-Americans in the area. Texas was one of the economically resilient states after the 2009 recession. Its strength comes from the growth of industries related to energy, construction, and technology driving business investments as well as employment. 

The Consulate has a long-standing collaboration with the Honorary Consul on its consular outreach program in the state of Texas. The conduct of consular outreach activities has greatly assisted the Consulate in bringing its services closer to the Filipino-Americans in Texas, which is one of the farthest among the Consulate’s areas of jurisdiction. Those who are provided services during the outreach greatly appreciate the saved time and money, particularly for families who would have to travel by plane all the way to California to avail of the consular services. There are three more consular outreach activities lined up for 2016 in Texas to be held in McAllen, Dallas, and Houston later this year.

Mr. and Mrs. Mercado were also instrumental in last year’s successful investment roadshow in Dallas, in which business leaders from various economic sectors of the Philippines and the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. gave updates and discussed opportunities for investment in the country. The Honorary Consul, together with PACC-TX, also conducts trade missions to the Philippines, bringing with them interested investors from the Texas.

Honorary Consul Ethel Mercado received her appointment in 2014. Since then, she has been a steadfast partner of the Consulate not only in its consular outreach program but also with its cultural and economic diplomacy goals and activities. END