25 July 2014 – Non-resident Philippine Ambassador to Costa Rica Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. presented his Letter of Credence to the President of Costa Rica Luis Guillermo Solís on July 11 at the historic Casa Amarilla, Costa Rica’s Ministry for Foreign Relations, in San Jose.
During the 20-minute audience with the President, Philippine Ambassador Dilem thanked the Costa Rican government for hosting over 300 Filipinos and acknowledged the work of Philippine Honorary Consul, Atty. Pablo Guier Acosta, in supporting the Filipino community. President Solís likewise conveyed his gratitude for the hosting of Costa Ricans citizens in the Philippines.
Philippine Ambassador Dilem expressed the need to enhance cultural and trade exchanges between the Philippines and Costa Rica. President Solís welcomed this initiative and mentioned Asia’s strategic importance in geopolitics and commerce, while noting that the Philippines is a “principal actor in the Pacific and ASEAN”. The Philippine Ambassador replied that the Philippines’ recognizes Costa Rica’s important role in international affairs, especially in the areas of climate change and migration, and acknowledged Costa Rica’s leadership as the head of the International Organization for Migration.
During his three-day visit to Costa Rica from July 9 to 11, Philippine Ambassador Dilem also met with Costa Rica’s Minister for External Relations Manuel Gonzalez Sanz, and Director-General for Asia-Pacific Affairs of the Ministry of External Relations Dr. Michael Chartier to discuss numerous areas for potential bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Costa Rica.
Philippine Ambassador Dilem also promoted Philippine economic interests in separate meetings with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Trade (PROCOME) Vice-Minister Jhon Fonseca and Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce President Francisco Llobet.
In his engagements, Philippine Ambassador Dilem spoke of the growth and investment potential of the Philippines, stating that the Philippine economy is one of the fastest-growing in Asia and the world, and highlighting its large market, young population, and highly-skilled, English-proficient professionals. Ambassador Dilem also promoted Philippine exports, particularly services, fruits, carrageenan, furniture, and handicrafts, and invited all interested parties to visit the upcoming Manila FAME 2014 event in October.
Philippine Ambassador Dilem was also the featured guest in an interview with Mr. Dennis Mora Guzman for Horizontes Televisión Costa Rica, a program that specializes in producing features on diplomacy, foreign policy, cooperation, and other related issues.
During the visit, Philippine Ambassador Dilem, accompanied by Third Secretary and Vice-Consul Mikhal C. de Dios and Finance Officer Randy Hilot, conducted a consular outreach mission and overseas voting registration mission for the Filipino community in Costa Rica, with the assistance of Philippine Honorary Consul Pablo Guier Acosta and Honorary Vice-Consul Miriam Miranda Rovira. END