30 August 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Dili held an informal dialogue with the officers and members of the United Cordillerans and Ilocanos in Timor-Leste (UCI) last August 25.

UCI is a newly-formed organization composed of Filipinos in Timor-Leste who are either of Ilocano or Cordilleran lineages. Its current president is Mr. Charles Michael Papay who is the Course Director of Maharlika International School, a Philippine School Overseas.

In line with the Aquino administration thrust to promote transparent, accountable and participatory governance, the Embassy took the opportunity to apprise the members of the UCI on its consular mandate and services. The Embassy also reminded the members of their moral and civic duty to respect the laws of both the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

Addressing the group, Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Maria Aileen H. Bugarin conveyed the openness and willingness of the Embassy to forge a strategic partnership with UCI. She also urged the group to support and complement the efforts of the Embassy to nurture the existing positive people-to-people links between the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

The activity is also part of the public diplomacy efforts of the Embassy to instill on the Filipinos the value of responsible citizenship.

The event was capped with a simple Filipino merienda cena. END