GOVERNOR Juan N. Babauta says Chamorros, Carolinians and Filipinos share a common culture, religion, language, food, and bonds forged by a common experience which should continue to be upheld.
On Friday, in the presence of Philippine Consul General Julia C. Heidemann, Philippine Consul Marcos Punzalang and Philippine labor representative Araceli Maraya as well as officials of several Filipino organizations in the commonwealth, Babauta proclaimed the week of June 8 to 16 as Northern Marianas -Philippines Friendship Week.
Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente also lauded the Philippine Consulate General’s significant contributions to the CNMI.
“The CNMI and the Republic of the Philippines enjoy healthy exchange of travel and commerce between our islands,” Babauta said. “Both governments also strongly endorsed policies promoting better relations and economic development.”
He added, “The people of the commonwealth appreciate the many contributions made by (the) Filipino community in the CNMI and I encourage our people to continue forging a positive relationship.”
There are about 20,000 Filipinos in the commonwealth, making them the largest ethnic group in the Northern Marianas.
On June 12, the Philippines will mark its 105th Independence Day, and the 13th anniversary of consulate’s establishment on Saipan.
“On behalf of the Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino community in the commonwealth, I wish to express our sincerest appreciation to the government of the Northern Marianas Islands,” Heidemann said. “I wish to express our sincerest appreciation to the government, under the able leadership of Gov. Juan Nekkai Babauta and to the warm and hospital people of the islands, for proclaiming the week of June 8 to the 16 as CNMI-Philippine Friendship Week,” she added.
Heidemann said the proclamation is a gesture that symbolizes a long standing bond of friendship and respect that has been chronicled in history books.
She said that aside from the geographic proximity and historical ties that brought the two archipelagoes together, it was the sharing of a “common cultural heritage that (created) the brotherhood and filial sentiments we now enjoy.”
She added that the friendship has matured, exemplified by “close cooperation in trade, cultural exchanges, in fighting terrorism and in information sharing.”
“I therefore join the Filipino people in answering your call to continually nurture our time tested friendship and understanding. On this auspicious day, let me express to contribute to the best of our ability, to the development of the commonwealth,” she added.
