PH Consulate General in Los Angeles Participates in Filipino’s Virtual Town Hall Anew
Participants in the 4th Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) Virtual Town Hall held on 27 April 2020 pose while wearing their face covering (Photo by Los Angeles PCG)
LOS ANGELES 30 April 2020 – Philippine Consul General to Los Angeles Adelio Angelito S. Cruz once again participated as one of the resource speakers for the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) of Southern California’s 4th virtual town hall meeting on 27 April 2020.
Consul General Cruz underscored the Philippine government’s commitment to extending all possible assistance to overseas Filipinos, regardless of their status in the U.S.A. He emphasized that even if the Consulate General had been on “work-from-home” arrangement since 19 March 2020, it continues to serve the community and extends appropriate assistance to Filipinos in need. He encouraged the Filipino community to email or call the Consulate General for assistance.
Consul General Cruz also mentioned that Philippine Airlines (PAL) will operate special flights on 29 April 2020 and 01 May 2020 from Los Angeles to Manila. Those who wish to avail of PAL’s special flight may directly call the airline’s hotline or visit its official website.
The Consul General, however, reminded returning overseas Filipinos to strictly observe quarantine protocols upon arrival in Manila since the Philippines has extended its enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. He pointed out that only Filipino and dual citizens are allowed entry into the Philippines. Foreigners, as well as U.S. citizens of Filipino descent, who have not reacquired their Philippine citizenship are not yet allowed entry into the Philippines.
He added that that the Department of Foreign Affairs is preparing a special video presentation to pay tribute to all Filipino frontliners all over the world. He strongly encouraged everyone who wanted to participate to submit a 30-second video clip of frontliners-in-action or at work.
Consul General Cruz thanked PWC for hosting said town hall meeting, as well as the Philippine Embassy and other Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the U.S.A. for their continued commitment in serving our kababayan in America.
Other resource speakers in the town hall were Angie Aramayo, Central Area Representative from the Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau Chief TJ Manotoc, California Domestic Workers Coalition Director Kimberly Alvarenga, Office of Immigrant Affairs-County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Executive Director Rigoberto Reyes, My Health LA Program Advocate Francia Nava, Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services Intergovernmental Relations Human Services Administrator Patricia Bautista, New York Damayan Migrant Workers Association Lead Organizer & Case Manager Riya Ortiz, PWC External Relations Director Malou Villacisneros, and U.S. Senator for California Kamala Harris.
The Filipino Channel-produced video presentation entitled “Heroes Without Capes” was presented during the webinar as a simple tribute to fearless Filipino frontliners.
PWC Executive Director Aquilina Versoza, who facilitated the webinar, updated the community on PWC’s various programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. Care Box, Care Meals and Care Fund) and encouraged everyone to avail of the free COVID-19 testing provided by Los Angeles County.
The event was participated in by around 200 community members from the west all the way to the east coast. END
For more information, visit https://www.philippineconsulatela.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinLA/.