04 February 2015 - Philippine Consul General Jose D.R. Burgos, accompanied by his wife, Dra. Blesilda Mansilla Burgos, and personnel of the Philippine Consulate general in Manado, recently paid courtesy calls on East Kalimantan Governor Dr. H. Awang Faroek Ishak, and other officials of the province.

This was  the  Consul General’s first visit to the province, which resulted in a closer relationship between the two groups of officials.

Governor Ishak informed the Filipino officials that the provincial government assisted the almost 700 detained fishermen in Tanjung Bato, Berau Regency from the time of arrest until their release. A Philippine consular team from Manado confirmed that 88 of the almost 700 fishermen were Filipino Badjaos from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

East Kalimantan, being a resource-rich province, deserves a look by Filipino businessmen, especially those engaged in the forestry and coal mining sectors. Other than the great potential of the province in business, trade, and tourism, the province remains an attractive destination for Filipino migrant workers should activities in the forestry and coal mining peak in the near future.

From January 19 to 25, the Filipino officials also met with the Filipino community in Samarinda and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan and Tarakan in North Kalimantan. Accompanying the Consul General in this trip were his secretary, Ms. Ma. Valerie L. Frogozo, Protocol Officer Noli M. Susi, and Interpreter/Translator Lice Ester Tambayong. END