Page 34 - 2018 JAN-JUN KAAKBAY

34 January to June
2018

New York Consulate Holds Discussion with
Migrant Issues Advocates

(L-R) Iloilo City Tourism Officer Ms. Junel Ann Divinagracia, Prof. Mary Ann
Gumban, UP Visayas’ Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Carmencita Y. Robles, Dean of
West Visayas State University’s College of Communications, during the Forum’s
panel discussion on Iloilo City Premier Schools. (Photo by New York PCG)

Mayor Espinosa invited Ilonggos in the US to invest in Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega (3rd from right), Deputy Consul General
Iloilo, saying “Now is the time to be in Kerwin Tate (2nd row, 1st from right), Consul Arman Talbo (3rd row, 2nd from left)
Iloilo. Business prospects are good. Living, retiring, working, join migration advocates at the Focus Group Discussion (photo by NYPCG)

investing in Iloilo City is now!” The Philippine Consulate General in New York held a

A panel discussion on property development, Discussion-Fellowship with Anti-Human Trafficking and

information technology, and infrastructure pipeline featured Migration advocates on 17 January 2018 at the Kalayaan

panelists Mr. Felicito Tiu - Founder and CEO of Eon Group of Annex of the Philippine Center in New York.

Companies and Co-Chair of the Iloilo City Trade and DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association, the Filipino
Investments Board, Mr. Billy Shung Hei Yuen - Founder & American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF), St.
CEO of Stacktrek Enterprises, Inc., Ms. Carla Margarita L. Francis of Assisi Migrants Center, and volunteer private
Perez - Sales Director of Iloilo Business Park-Megaworld, and lawyers who have been actively involved in assisting the
Mr. Jose Roni Peñalosa - Iloilo City Planning Officer. Consulate in Human Trafficking and other cases took part in

Another panel discussion about Iloilo City premiere the activity.

schools with panelists Dr. Carmencita Y. Robles - Dean of The event was an opportunity for the Consulate
College Communications of West Visayas State University, General to thank its partners and stakeholders in efforts to
Professor Mary Ann Gumban - Vice Chancellor of University reach out to the community and extend assistance to Filipino
of the Philippines Visayas, and Ms. Junel Ann P. Divinagracia victims of human trafficking and other forms of abuse. The
- Iloilo City Tourism Officer provided information and promoted Consulate represented by Consul General Theresa Dizon-De
affordable and quality education in Iloilo City. Vega, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate, Consul Arman

At the end of the forum, Ms. Tess Salvador, a pioneer Talbo, and ATN Officer Arturo Romua likewise provided

in the promotion of heritage Hablon fabric and the craft of updates on the latest developments regarding the Department

Haból, and Tony Award-winning Filipino theatre producer of Foreign Affair’s policies on the delivery of assistance to

Jhett Tolentino, both from Iloilo, were given recognition for nationals, in particular the revised rules on the use of the

their contributions in elevating the image of Ilonggos abroad. Legal Assistance Fund and the Assistance to Nationals and

Plaques of appreciation were also presented to the Philippine migration-related events for 2018.

Consulate General in New York, the Philippine Trade and The Philippine Consulate General continues to
Investment Center NY (PTIC-NY) and the 2018 PIDCI for actively engage with migration advocates within the
partnering with the Iloilo City government in making the trade community, volunteers from the legal profession, civil society
and investment mission successful. groups, and government agencies to raise awareness and

encourage involvement in efforts to address migration-related

concerns.

Mayor Jose Espinosa III (2nd from left) presents Plaques of Recognition to 2018 Participants share information on latest migration policy related developments.
PIDCI Representative Maryann Sanagustin, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville
Tate, Consul Arman Talbo on behalf of PTIC New York, Ms. Tess Salvador, and
Mr. Jhett Tolentino (Photo by Iloilo City Trade Mission 2018)