THE United Filipino Organization has adopted a resolution nominating UFO President Marcelo “Mar” Masilungan for Philippine honorary consul of Saipan.
The UFO resolution dated Jan. 4, 2022 was sent to the Philippine Consulate General on Guam for its consideration.
UFO is an umbrella group of 10 Filipino organizations on Saipan.
In an email Monday, Philippine Consul General to Guam Patrick John U. Hilado said:
“We are thankful for the many Filipino community leaders who have stepped up to continue assisting our ‘kababayans’ in Saipan in their personal capacities by closely coordinating with the Consulate in Guam.
“We are also working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on the possibility of nominating a new Philippine honorary consular official for the CNMI sometime in the near future following all existing Philippine and U.S. guidelines and procedures on the matter.
“Of course, we are truly saddened by the passing of our beloved Consul Glicerio ‘Eli’ Arago late last year and the resulting closure of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Saipan. we deeply feel the huge void that Consul Eli left in our community there in Saipan.”
The honorary consul position is a voluntary position and does not receive any official budget from the Philippine government, but the position requires an official appointment from the Philippine government, Variety learned
The honorary consul, among other things, must have good moral character and “sufficient resources to provide and maintain” his or her office.
Masilungan, who runs a computer company on Saipan, said he is willing “to serve and volunteer for the benefit of the Filipino community on Saipan.”
Masilungan has been UFO president since 2019. He served as volunteer instructor for the Philippine Consulate General of Saipan when it was still open. He conducted free classes on basic computer and computer repair under the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, and certified more than 60 Filipinos as U.S.-certified computer service technicians.
He continues to be actively involved in various community service projects on Saipan.
UFO Executive Secretary Birhen K. Martinez said Masilungan is “definitely capable of holding the position,” adding that “he has done a lot for the community.”
For first part, UFO Vice President Zaldy Quebal said “Mar is an ideal public servant — he is approachable, helpful to those in need, and most of all he knows what needs to be done for the benefit of the public.”
United Filipino Organization Vice President Zaldy Quebal, left, and President Marcelo “Mar” Masilungan.
