During the Consular and POLO Outreach Mission conducted in the city of Catania on 12-13 October 2013, Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. actively engaged with the Filipino community in a dinner/forum conducted by the Filipino Association of Catania.

The dinner/forum was notably graced by the Mayor of Catania, Hon. Raffaele Stancanelli, who praised the resiliency and positive attitude of the Filipino community in Catania. He also shared his personal high regard for the Filipinos, inasmuch as his own children have been raised and are endeared to their long-time and trusted Filipino care-givers.

Ambassador Reyes, on his part, briefed the Filipino community members on the impressive economic development in the Philippines and highlighted the important role of the overseas Filipinos in sustaining and ensuring the inclusivity of the country’s economic growth. The Ambassador likewise elaborated on the important updates with regard to PH-Italy bilateral relations such as, among others, the recent initialing of the Air Services Agreement which would pave the way for the resumption of flights between Rome and Manila; the MOU between DOLE and DA which actively encourages agribusiness investments among overseas Filipinos; and the “Fibre Filipine” event which would showcase, for the first time in Italy, the strength, elegance and beauty of the country’s natural fibers such as the piña, abaca and banana.

An open forum with the community, principally on POLO concerns, followed the Ambassador’s message to the Filipino community.