04 January 2016 – Philippine Consul General Mario De Leon was feted by the Filipino community of Vermont (VT) for a pre-Christmas get-together and a meeting to discuss collaboration between the Consulate General and the community for the coming year in a Japanese restaurant in South Burlington, VT. 

Consul General De Leon shared his meetings earlier that day with the office of Rep. Welch and the officials of Northern Reliability and VEIC, renewable energy companies based in VT, to promote Philippine political and economic initiatives. He expressed hope for stronger ties between Vermont companies and the Filipino community (Filcom). 

During the meeting, Filcom members raised important questions relating to consular matters and discussed plans for a possible consular services outreach in Burlington or Rutland, VT in cooperation with the Filcom in New Hampshire.

Finally, Consul General De Leon discussed the proposed visit of Ambassador Cuisia to Vermont in 2016, including Filipino community involvement in the preparations and arranging calls on local and elected officials. (As per latest US Census, there are 1,035 Filipinos in Vermont). 

Later on, Consul General De Leon invited Filcom leaders from Vermont, Ms. Jean Ryan, Elsie Aguila, and Father Julian Asucan, and Ms. Josie Santiago of New Hampshire, to attend the Geographic Warden General Assembly at the Kalayaan Center on January 16. (The annual GA held at the Consulate General is a gathering of Filcom volunteers commonly referred to as “wardens,” where they undergo training on natural and man-made disaster preparedness and share best practices). 

Earlier that same day, a meeting between Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr. and Mr. George Twigg, State Director, Office of Rep. Peter Welch was held at Rep. Welch’s office in Lakeside Avenue, Vermont, to discuss and seek support for PH initiatives, including the bill seeking the award of the Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino Veterans of WWII, which is currently up for review by a Congressional committee. The bill seeks to recognize the Filipino veterans who fought alongside American servicemen in WWII and honor their service by the award of the Congressional Gold Medal. 

Consul General De Leon also took the opportunity to provide a briefing on the West Philippine Sea issue and the PH arbitration case. He also extended an invitation for Rep. Welch to join the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus. END