PRESS RELEASE - 82 - 2019
Justice Francisco P. Acosta (Ret.) with Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green at the Hawaii State Capitol
(22 October 2019, Honolulu, Hawaii) – Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Chairperson and former Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals Secretary Francisco P. Acosta is in Honolulu for the CFO’s Ugnayan sa Hawaii on 20-27 October 2019. The Ugnayan sa Hawaii is the second leg of the CFO’s series of Ugnayan missions to the United States for dialogues and consultations with Filipino communities and other stakeholders who play a role in promoting the welfare and wellbeing of overseas Filipinos.
The official CFO delegation is composed of Atty. Xerxes E. Cortel, Head Executive Assistant of the Secretary and Legal Counsel; Ms. Michelle Dawn C. Bande, Chief of Staff and Head of Communications and Media; Ms. Janet B. Ramos, Supervising Emigrant Services Officer and Point Person for the Interagency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT); and Mr. Warner A. Dawal, Senior Emigrant Services Officer, PESO Sense Officer and Social Media Head.
The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu led by Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno organized a series of engagements for the Secretary’s week-long visit including meetings with the Filipino community leaders, Filipino-American students and young professionals, government officials as well as members of the media.
(Photo L-R) Protocol Officer Joel Bulos, Mr. Warner A. Dawal, Atty. Xerxes E. Cortel, Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno, Secretary Francisco P. Acosta, Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green, Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona, Ms. Michelle Dawn C. Bande and Ms. Janet B. Ramos
On 21 October 2019, Secretary Acosta and his delegation called on Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, representing Governor David Ige who is out of the country. Accompanying the CFO officials were Consul General Jimeno and Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona. The Lieutenant Governor warmly received Secretary Acosta, while the latter thanked him for Hawaii’s support to the Filipino community. Both officials agreed to work on matters of mutual benefit to the peoples of the Philippines and Hawaii.
According to the US Census Bureau, in 2017 the total population of Hawaii was 1,421,658. Filipinos and those of Filipino descent are estimated at 355,000 or 25 percent of the total population, making the Filipino community the second largest migrant group in the State. (END)
Secretary Acosta and the CFO delegation with Consul General Jimeno and Deputy Consul General Escalona during the call on Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Josh Green
