Philippine Embassy in Lisbon Hosts Town Hall Meeting to Strategize Philippine-Portugal Relations
30 September 2024, Lisbon - The Philippine Embassy in Portugal successfully hosted a Town Hall Meeting on 28 September 2024 with Congressman Ron Salo of the Kabayan Party-list and Mr. Ramon Garcia, the Honorary Consul of Portugal in Manila, exchanging views with the members of the Filipino community on current Philippine-Portuguese relations.
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Portugal, Paul Raymund P. Cortes, highlighted the significant growth in bilateral relations between the two countries over the years. However, he emphasized that many opportunities remain untapped, calling on the members of the Filipino community to collaborate in exploring new avenues to further deepen ties with Portugal. "There is still so much we can do together to strengthen our relations with the Portuguese community," the ambassador cited, underscoring the importance of collective efforts and the Filipino diaspora in advancing diplomatic and cultural engagement.
Honorary Consul of Portugal in Manila, Mr. Ramon Garcia, provided a brief background on the presence of Portuguese companies and the growing Portuguese community in the Philippines. He emphasized the long-standing, yet evolving relationship between the two countries.
In his address, Congressman Ron Salo reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to protecting and promoting the welfare of overseas Filipinos in Portugal. He lauded the Filipino community for its contributions to strengthening Philippine-Portuguese ties and assured them that their concerns and needs remain a top priority for the Kabayan Party list.
Members of the Filipino community actively engaged in the discussions, sharing their experiences and challenges as the Filipino community in Portugal continues to grow. They also shared how Filipinos are positively perceived by the Portuguese and expressed gratitude for the Philippine Embassy's proactive initiatives to safeguard the welfare of Filipinos in Portugal. END
