23 April 2014 – The members of the Philippine delegation to the 2014 Australian Political Exchange Council Program called on Philippine Consul General in Sydney Anne Jalando-on Louis, capping their week-long visit to Australia on March 28.
The Philippine delegation was headed by Vice Governor Esteban Evan B. Contreras from the province of Capiz, and the following local officials as members: Mayor Andres D. Lacson of the Municipality of Concepcion, Tarlac; Vice Mayor Ruel Darvin Momo of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; Councillor Priscilla Marie Abante of the 6th District of Manila, Councillor Earl Tidy Oyas of the Municipality of Catmon, Cebu; Councillor Mya Analene D. Rosos-Tenorio of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; and Ms. Georgina Panol Nava of the Philippine Council of Young Leaders.
Consul Marford Angeles made a presentation on the functions of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney and the profile of the Filipino community in the Consulate General’s jurisdictions, New South Wales and New Caledonia.
Consul General Louis informed the delegation of the contributions of Filipino migrants to the State of New South Wales and the wider Australian society. She also gave an overview of how members of the Filipino community in New South Wales, Australia, have assisted communities in the Philippines, citing their efforts in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) as well other natural disasters. She informed Vice Governor Contreras of Capiz on the efforts of Filipino community members, Ms. Erlinda Baisa and Mr. Rod Dingle, to extend assistance in housing to 20 families in Sigma, Capiz.
Consul General Louis also briefed the delegation on how the Consulate General encourages Filipino-Australians to continue to take part in Philippine nation-building by supporting various projects in the Philippines. In this regard, she encouraged the local officials to share information with the Consulate General on projects in their respective jurisdictions which Filipino-Australians could support.
The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Hilda McGrillen, Program Coordinator, during the visit to the Consulate General. Ms. McGrillen said that the Australian Political Exchange Council was established in 1981 and is headed by the Parliamentary Leaders of the four main political parties in the Federal Parliament. The Council operates a system of political exchange visits to promote understanding of Australia and its political system. The group that visited the Consulate General is the 8th Philippine delegation to participate in the program. END