Page 27 - 2018 JAN-JUN KAAKBAY

January to June 27
2018

Command Conference for the
PH Heads of Posts in the Americas

22-23 June 2018, New York. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan 1 May 2018, New York. House of Representative’s Committee
Peter S. Cayetano (front row, 5th from left) presides the on Health Chairperson Congresswoman Angelina Tan (seated
Command Conference for the heads of Philippine Foreign 2nd from left) meets registered physicians involved in New
York’s medical marijuana program. The meeting was part of
Service Posts in The Americas, discussing issues related to
migration, security, and politico-economic developments in the the Committee’s medical cannabis tour which aims to aid the
Americas. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Committee in considering merits of a medical cannabis bill
Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola (4th from left, front row) briefed the pending in the Philippine Congress. (Front row L-R) Vireo
envoys on the implementation of new rules on the Assistance to Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen Dahmer, Philippine

Nationals and Legal Assistance Funds for overseas Filipinos, Consulate General’s Consul Arman R. Talbo, Dr. Junella Chin,
and in maximizing the use of social media in advancing and Dr. Julia H. Arnsten; (Back row L-R) Dr. Jose M. David,
Dr. Bernard Lee, and (5th from left) Vireo Health CEO Ari
Philippine interests in the region, among others. Hoffnung.

29 June 2018, New York. National Security Adviser Secretary

Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. (center) and DFA Undersecretary
Jose Luis G. Montales (left) discuss Philippine national security,

peace and order, civilian security and passport matters during a
focus group discussion with members of the Filipino media in
US northeast.

(Continued from page 26… Town Hall meeting)
Secretary Dureza encouraged potential investors to

invest for peace in the Philippines, particularly in conflict

areas such as Mindanao, citing that the investment will bring
about development and relative peace to people in the area.
He underscored that unlike the “chicken and egg” dilemma,
peace and development must come together, saying “you
cannot have peace if there is no development; and you
cannot sustain development unless there is peace.”

At the end of the meeting, Secretary Dureza Secretary Dureza answers Fil-Am community’s questions about the probability of
recognized the time and effort given by the participants in success of peace process during Q&A. (Photos by Lambert Parong and NY PCG)
attending the forum which is a testament to their strong
resolve to work for peace. The participants took a pledge to
be Ambassadors of Peace in their community, helping the
Philippine government in the daunting task of promoting
awareness of the Philippine peace process. More
information about Peace Ambassadors can be found on
OPAPP’s website at https://peace.gov.ph/programs/ppa/.

Consul Arman R. Talbo, the Philippine Consulate
General’s Political Officer, moderated the town hall meeting.