Philippine Ambassador Presents Credentials to Honduran President
Ambassador Lilybeth R. Deapera (on the left) presents her credentials to President Iris Xiomara Castro (in the middle). (Photo by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Honduras)
TEGUCIGALPA 30 April 2024 – Philippine Ambassador Lilybeth R. Deapera presented her credentials as Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to President Iris Xiomara Castro in a ceremony held at Casa Presidencial of the Republic of Honduras on 25 April 2024.
Accompanied by Second Secretary and Consul Ralf G. Roldan and Honorary Consul Tito Bendeck, Ambassador Deapera was one of the seven Ambassadors who were newly accredited to Honduras.
The exchanges that ensued touched on various issues of common concern, such as migrant workers, a topic which President Castro expressed willingness to collaborate on with the Philippines, particularly on the sharing of best practices.
Having the opportunity to meet the first woman president of Honduras, Ambassador Deapera personally conveyed her well-wishes to President Castro, and underscored the role of women in the Philippines, as enshrined in the Constitution. While social and economic roles have changed through the years and challenges arose, Filipino women continue to be the cornerstone of every family. The Ambassador likewise recognized the role of women working for different government agencies, contributing to the political, economic and socio-cultural progress of the Philippines.
Recognizing the shared history and culture of both countries, Ambassador Deapera proposed collaboration on culture which met the President's approval.
Prior to the ceremony, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Eduardo Enrique Reina García received a copy of the Ambassador's credentials on 24 April 2024.
Ambassador Deapera also met with Atty. Jose Luis Montalvan, Head of the Judicial Procurement Unit of the National Institute for Migration, and Engr. Melvin Redondo, Vice Minister of Economic Integration and Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economic Development on 26 April 2024 to discuss a possible cooperation on migration, trade and investment and agriculture.
The Philippines and Honduras formally established diplomatic relations on 05 July 1946. With the recent signing of the MOU on Political Consultations, both countries hope to increase productive engagement, especially as they will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of their bilateral relations in 2026. END
L-R Second Secretary and Consul Ralf G. Roldan, Ambassador Lilybeth R. Deapera, President Iris Xiomara Castro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Eduardo Enrique Reina García, and PH Honorary Consul Tito Bendeck (Photo by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Honduras)
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