05 February 2014 - As the waiting period for the decision on the request of the Philippines for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation by the US government enters its third month, the Consulate General held a multi-sectoral town hall meeting last January 28, where Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. called on different sectors of the community to partner with the Philippine Government in lobbying for the US government’s approval of the TPS.
Consul General De Leon discussed the Philippine government’s relentless efforts to convince the US government, particularly the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and State Department, to approve TPS designation for the Philippines. He shared that the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. was in touch with the State Department, which is expected to issue its recommendation on the Philippines’ request for TPS.
New York City Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene of the 40th District in Brooklyn, who served as a panelist, remarked that his native country, Haiti, and the Philippines share a common experience of enduring many natural disasters. He expressed hope that the Philippines would be granted TPS like Haiti as it recovers from the devastation of super typhoon Yolanda.
He expressed belief that TPS could help Philippines’ rehabilitation efforts and even suggested useful tips in securing TPS approval based on Haiti’s experience with the US DHS.
A panel of speakers, including Atty. JT Mallonga, Atty. Patricia Astorga and Atty. Licelle Cobrador, as well as reactors who include, Ms. Gwen De Vera and Mr. Buddy Deauna of National Federation of Fil-Am Associations (NaFFAA), Atty. Dean Suba of Knights of Rizal, Mr. Noel Pangilinan and Mr. Momar Visaya of the Fil-Am Press Club, and Ms. Rosalina Cielo of Damayan, were on hand to discuss the procedure, benefits and concerns related to TPS in light of reports of notarial fraud and misrepresentation that TPS has already been approved.
During the event, the participants agreed to widen networks in the US government, continue to reach out to US legislators to draw their support for TPS designation for the Philippines, and lobby with the DHS and Department of States. They also called on the Philippine government to continue to assume an active role in seeking TPS approval and in issuing regular public advisories on TPS to avoid criminal misrepresentation and fraud.
The event was organized in partnership with the Filipino-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) and the Fil-Am Press Club of New York where about 100 community members attended, including sectoral representatives from Damayan, St. Francis of Assisi Migrant Center, and Own the Dream. END