03 October 2016 — The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted a forum on the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN 2017 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on September 28. Philippine diplomats from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) from Manila and the Philippine Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta shared their expertise on ASEAN, focusing on the structure and mechanisms of ASEAN and the Chairmanship of the Philippines in 2017.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. introduced the resource speakers headed by the DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo. Consul General de Leon expressed the hope that the event would promote better awareness on the ASEAN and pave the way to a more active involvement of the Filipino-American Community in various events during the Chairmanship of the Philippines.
The other resource persons include Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN based in Jakarta; Assistant Secretary Hellen B. de la Vega; Executive Director Zaldy B. Patron; and Director Edgar Badajos of the DFA-Office of ASEAN Affairs.
During the forum, the resource speakers also discussed the Commemorative Activities during the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN which will coincide with the chairmanship of the Philippines and how the Filipino community could be involved. Fil-Am participants, on the other hand, expressed interest in various developments in ASEAN and how they could support the Philippines’ chairmanship.
The event was co-hosted by the following Fil-Am organizations whose representatives served as panel of reactors during the forum:
- JCI Philippines New York- Mr. Stevenson Van Derodar
- Philippine American Chamber of Commerce- Mr. Michael Nierva
- Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc.- Ms. Ledy Almadin
- Pilipino American Unity for Progress- Ms. Stephanie Crispin
- Filipino American Lawyers Association in New York- Atty. Maria Celis
The resource speakers also made similar presentations in Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey on September 26 and in Fordham University at the Bronx, New York on September 28. The events were warmly welcomed by faculty and students, including Filipinos studying in said universities. END
