16 September 2015 – During a two-day visit to meet the local Filipino community, Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. De Leon, Jr., accompanied by Filipino community members, called on Representative Frank Guinta (R-NH) to hold a short dialogue on PH-US relations, as well as to introduce community members based in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Representative Guinta, who is a member of the House Financial Services Committee and former two-term Mayor of Manchester, welcomed Consul General De Leon who was accompanied by Consul Felipe Carino, Jocelyn Santiago, Head of the Filipino-American Association in New Hampshire, and community members Mayette and Matt Melcher, and Mitch Lamar.
Consul General De Leon had a brief discussion with Rep. Guinta on the West Philippine Sea issue. The Consul General also talked about House Bill 2737 on awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino Veterans of WWII, noting that it has been given to other ethnic minorities like the Women’s Corps, Puerto Ricans, Navajo Indians, and Tuskegee Airmen.
Rep. Guinta replied that he is supportive of initiatives to honor veterans’ service to their country and revealed he has deceased relatives from New Hampshire who are buried at the Clark cemetery in the Philippines.
Upon invitation of Consul General De Leon, Rep. Guinta said that he is interested and will consider joining the U.S-Philippine Friendship Caucus in the U.S. Congress.
Filipino community members attending the meeting expressed their pleasure to be introduced to their U.S. Representative that could lead to open communication and discussions involving local concerns. According to the U.S. Census, there are about 3,500 Filipino in New Hampshire, mostly concentrated in the Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Rockingham counties. However, Filipinos in Manchester believe the figure may actually be higher.
As a former Mayor of Manchester, Representative Guinta has dedicated his career to public service. He believes that in a community comprising different nationalities, it is important for local officials and residents to reach out and develop relationships and for the citizens to have access to their local representatives. END