23 October 2015 – Philippine Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. accompanied Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. together with Filipino community leaders for a courtesy call meeting with Mayor of Pittsburgh, PA William Peduto on October 19 at his City Hall office. Joining them were community leaders in Pittsburgh, Ms. Teodora Schipper and Mr. Osorio Calejesan.
Ambassador Cuisia discussed with Mayor Peduto the projects and initiatives of the Philippines to forge closer economic ties with the City of Pittsburgh and the entire Allegheny/western Pennsylvania region. He also mentioned that a Philippine Investment Roadshow was taking place on that same day in Pittsburgh, the first leg of the three U.S. cities hosting the 4th annual Private-Sector led Investment Roadshow which highlights the positive economic developments and growth industries in the Philippines, as well as trade opportunities for U.S. companies in key sectors like energy, technology and healthcare.
Mayor Peduto conveyed that the City of Pittsburgh was eager to establish business and trade relationships with emerging economies, and that Pittsburgh was looking into investment opportunities in Havana, Cuba and Vietnam as well. He expressed his interest and willingness to forge a similar relationship with the Philippines and with the Filipino community in Pittsburgh as well. Ambassador Cuisia reminded him of the increasing competitiveness of the Philippine economy and how its strategic location and skilled English-speaking labor was an advantage to the country among its ASEAN neighbors.
Ambassador Cuisia also requested the Mayor’s assistance to help further enhance awareness amongst the corporate community of Pittsburgh of the growing trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines. Mayor Peduto in turn promised to work more closely with the community in exploring joint potential ventures which would lead to stronger economic ties between the City of Pittsburgh and the Philippines.
Ms. Schipper, on her part, expressed her desire for an establishment of a Philippine Center in Pittsburgh to better facilitate the organizing of events which aim to promote closer PH-US political, economic and social relations. She further conveyed about her hope for a future “Sister City” relationship between Pittsburgh and a city in the Philippines. END