13 May 2015 - Philippine Consul General Marciano R. de Borja called on President Christopher Loeak of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on April 30, a day before attending official ceremonies commemorating the country’s 36th Constitution Day on May 01.
Consul General de Borja and President Loeak acknowledged that economic and trade relations between the Philippines and the Marshall Islands had potential for further development. The Consul General cited a report that medical services in the Philippines provided cost advantages to the citizens of the different Pacific island nations. He mentioned the imminent opening of the Guam Regional Medical City, an affiliate of The Medical City in Pasig, which will provide a more proximate world-class medical facility for patients from the Pacific Islands. President Loeak replied that more Marshallese have been referred to medical institutions in the Philippines in the last two years than at any other time.
Consul General de Borja also informed President Loeak that he came to Majuro with a consular team to provide consular services to the Filipinos working in the Marshall Islands. President Loeak expressed appreciation for the visit of the consular team and said that Filipinos are the “builders of the Marshall Islands,” recognizing the many contributions Filipino workers have made to his country’s progress.
Consul General de Borja thanked the President for his very positive endorsement of Filipinos and for the good treatment accorded them during their stay in the Marshall Islands.
Joining Consul General de Borja during the call on President Loeak was Philippine Honorary Consul in the Marshall Islands Dr. Alexander Z. Pinano and Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy. The visit of Consul General de Borja to the Marshall Islands was his first since assuming his duties.
That same evening, Consul General de Borja and his party were invited to join the reception hosted by Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony de Brum for visiting Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr.
Consul General de Borja, Consul Hamoy and Consul Pinano also attended the commemoration of Constitution Day on May 01, which marked the 36th anniversary of self-government for the Marshall Islands. The event was attended by high government officials, the diplomatic community in Majuro, and development partners of the Marshall Islands.
In his remarks, President Loeak welcomed the visiting dignitaries who graced the occasion, including Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr., non-resident Japanese Ambassador Masaki Sakai, and Consul General de Borja. The Marshallese president also thanked bilateral partners and international development organizations for their contributions to the progress and development of the Marshall Islands. The occasion was capped with a parade of the different government agencies and community organizations in the Marshall Islands. END