Dubai Welcomes DFA Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella
Undersecretary Abella, Consul General Cortes, Dr Yasmin Cortes, Vice Consuls Marianne Bringas and Beth Ramos, Labatt Fely Bay, and Trade Attached Eric Elnar lead the Bayanihan Festivities
22 December 2017 DUBAI – The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates welcomed new DFA Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella on his visit to Dubai on December 13-17. The visit is the Undersecretary’s first as DFA Undersecretary, allowing him to touch base with Overseas Filipinos and ascertain how best to engage them in nation-building.
The Undersecretary led the Bayanihan Festival 2017 celebrations at Dubai’s World Trade Center on December 15, an event participated in by over 20,000 Filipinos. He also attended the Bayanihan Press Conference on December 14, met with representatives of the Philippine Schools Overseas on December 16, and conducted a Town Hall Meeting with the community also December 16.
Undersecretary Abella commended the community and the consulate for their strong partnership and their commitment to be more active players in nation building. He said the consulate’s engagement with the community must be continued and strengthened especially as the country is exploring greater use of the diaspora towards development.
At the Town Hall Meeting, the Undersecretary stressed the administration’s priority on peace and security as it paves the way for a more sustainable environment for economic growth and consequently, better opportunities for our people. He also urged the community to expand their engagements with government and other members of the society (the academe, business community, etc.) so that each segment of the nation is actively involved in nation-building. END
For more information, visit www.dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinDubai/
Undersecretary Abella and Consul General Cortes formally open the Bayanihan
Undersecretary Abella addresses PCG Dubai's December Edition of its Monthly Town Hall Meeting