23 March 2015 – Philippine Consul General Lilybeth R. Deapera and Macau SAR’s Social Affairs and Culture Secretary Alexis Tam Chon Weng met on March 06 to discuss initiatives for strengthening relations in the areas of education and culture. 

Secretary Tam expressed his appreciation for the work that the Philippine Consulate General in Macau SAR  has done to provide assistance to Filipino nationals and promote Philippine culture.  He acknowledged that the Filipino workers are a welcome addition to the manpower resources of the Macau economy.  The Secretary was pleased to state that Filipinos in Macau are generally law-abiding and are known for being industrious and honest. 

Ms. Deapera informed the Secretary that since the opening of the Consulate General in 2008, the number of Filipinos in Macau has increased dramatically. She also thanked the Secretary for the support his Office continues to extend to Filipino community organizations in the city.  She noted that Filipino organizations are always included in community events, as she herself has witnessed during the World Migrants’ Day and the celebration of the Sinulog Festival in Macau.  The Consul General stressed that people-to-people exchanges have enhanced the relations between the Philippines and Macau and stated that this could be further improved by more joint initiatives in the field of culture.

Secretary Tam concurred on the benefits of expanding cultural exchanges, especially in education and the arts.  Consul General Deapera disclosed that the Philippines is sending a delegation to participate in the International Higher Education Exposition of Macau, and expressed her hope of further increasing the number of student exchanges between the Philippines and Macau SAR. END