Hawaii Governor Forges Stronger PH-Hawaii Ties with Historic Philippine Visit
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano with Governor and Mrs. David Ige (seated to his right) and members of the 27th Goodwill and Trade Mission to the Philippines. Also shown in photo are Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin and FCCH (4rd and 3rd from right, respectively.)
03 November 2017 HONOLULU - The 27th Goodwill and Trade Mission to the Philippines led by Hawaii Governor David Ige and First Lady Mrs. Dawn Amano-Ige was held from October 14 to 22.
During the visit, Governor Ige signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Hawaii and the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) with Governor Ryan Singson of Ilocos Sur as LPP President in historic Vigan City at the Vigan Convention Center on October 19. The MOU will provide a framework of cooperation between the State of Hawaii and the LPP member provinces including Hawaii’s 5 sister provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cebu, Isabela and Pangasinan.
Ilocos Sur Governor and President of the League of Provinces in the Philippines Ryan Luis Singson (4th from left) and Governor Ige (4th from right) shake hands after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between LPP and Hawaii. Witnessing the signing are from L-R) Consul General Jamoralin; Ilocos Sur Vice Governor Jerry Singson; Hawaii Director of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Luis Salaveria; Hawaii Representative John Mizuno; Deputy Speaker of Philippine House of Representatives Eric Singson and Ilocos Sur Provincial Administrator Cara Michelle Peredo (Photo credits: Govermor Singson Facebook page)
Earlier in his trip, Governor Ige met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano who was briefed about the Filipino community in Hawaii and the Governor’s “Sakada Day” law honoring the arrival of the first Filipino plantation workers in Hawaii in 1906. The Delegation was also briefed by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on the business opportunities in the Philippines and its economy.
Governor Ige and the delegation also met with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officials led by MMDA Administrator Brigadier General Danilo Lim with Mayor Lani Cayetano of Taguig City and the officials of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for a briefing on Hawaii’s disaster response system including Hawaii’s response during Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
One poignant moment during the trip was the laying of wreath at the Sakada Centennial Memorial in Port Salomague, in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur where the first 15 Filipino sakadas started their pioneering journey to Hawaii. Their descendants formed the first Filipino community in Hawaii.
As part of renewing ties with Hawaii’s sister provinces, Governor Ige met with Governor Imee Marcos of Ilocos Norte, Governor Ryan Singson of Ilocos Sur, and Governor Hilario Davide III of Cebu. During their meetings, both sides agreed to explore further areas of cooperation in tourism, culture and the arts and education exchanges.
Governor Ige is the first governor of Hawaii to visit the Philippines in 11 years and the first Governor to visit Cebu. END
Governor and Mrs. David Ige with the delegates of the 2017 Goodwill and Trade Mission pose by the Jose Rizal Monument in Luneta following the wreath laying ceremony to begin his official trip in the Philippines
For more information, visit www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippineshonolulu.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHConsulateHonolulu.