(Office of the Governor/ Honorary Philippine Consulate-CNMI) — Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Saturday expressed his prayers for the speedy and thorough recovery of Honorary Philippine Consul to the CNMI Glicerio “Eli” Arago, who is undergoing a medical procedure at the Guam Regional Medical City.
“Diann and I send our best wishes and sincerest prayers to our good friend and a friend of the Commonwealth, Honorary Consul Eli Arago. We were very saddened to hear of his serious and unexpected health event yesterday, which prompted our CHCC medical care units and emergency medical technicians to respond to his urgent care,” the governor said.
“Consul Eli has been a great partner to me in addressing issues that are critical to our Filipino community here in the CNMI. We both share the same goal of improving the lives of our ‘kababayans’ because this is a community that they call home. Our partnership, and most importantly our friendship, is special to me, and I know that many in our community are praying for his speedy recovery.
“My office will continue to support the Honorary Philippine Consulate-CNMI team with whatever they need to ensure that our consul has a safe and restful recovery so that he can be back home here in the CNMI. We ask our community to join Diann and I in prayers for Consul Eli’s speedy recovery.”
Deepest appreciation
In a separate statement, the Office of the Honorary Philippine Consulate-CNMI team members Ariel Mariano, Ulysses Torres Sabuco, Annamae Adaza and Mario Mayuga expressed their deepest appreciation to the community’s prayers and kind thoughts.
The consulate and Arago’s family are also very grateful to the rapid response and medical care of Saipan’s EMTs, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s Emergency Room, Medical-Surgical and Intensive Care Unit departments.
“Special thank you to attending physician, Dr. Esther Kanajorn, for her kindness and professionalism in attending to the needs of our beloved honorary Philippine consul. Our deep appreciation as well to attending nurses at CHCC’s ER, Med-Surg, and ICU departments/units,” the consulate stated.
“Special thank you as well to the U.S. Department of Defense/United States Coast Guard for their expeditious medical evacuation assistance, and the support of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Covid-19 Task Force Chairman Warren Villagomez and Tan Holdings Corp. President and CEO Jerry Tan.
“As Honorary Consul Eli Arago undergoes needed surgery for his recovery, we, his Honorary Philippine Consulate-CNMI team, joins his family and friends in praying that he’ll be back in no time.”
A long-time CNMI resident, Arago is senior vice president of Tan Holdings Corp.
While CNMI lawmakers, Bishop Ryan Jimenez, Filipino community members and first lady Diann T. Torres look on, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Honorary Philippine Consul to the CNMI Eli Arago cut a ceremonial cake to celebrate Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2018 at Kanoa Resort.
