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Diego is named honorary consul of FSM in the NMI
Former lieutenant governor Diego Benavente was sworn in over the weekend as the first honorary consul of the Federated States of Micronesia in the CNMI, with FSM president Peter M. Christian himself swearing in Benavente to his new role.
“Because we do not have [an FSM] consulate here…some of the folks do need assistance, whether finding documents, passports, or other matters that concerns their citizenship and their needs. My role would be to try to be the link between FSM citizens here in the CNMI to the consulate’s office in Guam,” Benavente said.
He would be working closely with FSM Consul General to Guam Teresa M. Filepin, who was also just sworn into her position last Friday.
“I am just an honorary consul,” noted Benavente, adding that, although he has been cleared for the role by the U.S. State Department, he is “still learning.”
Benavente noted that he has already initiated discussions with the FSM president on some issues.
“The president is excited in providing more services to the FSM citizens here in the CNMI,” he said, adding that one of his targets is to reach out to FSM citizens on Tinian and Rota.
According to Benavente, Christian made public his appointment as honorary consul in May 2018, at the 23rd Micronesia Islands Forum.
“I am so honored. I’m so lucky,” he said, adding that he had no reservations when Christian called him to ask if he was willing to be FSM consul to the CNMI.
“At this point, it is just about making myself available to listen and to try to help out with their needs,” said Benavente of his expectations. He noted that an accurate count of FSM citizens in the CNMI remains one of his goals.
“I am very happy that we’ve done this so that FSM citizens here would at least have someone to talk to. [Benavente] can relay to us the concerns of our citizens,” said Christian.
Filepin noted that she looks forward to working with Benavente on future projects.
“…FSM citizens are facing numerous issues in Guam, so there are several programs that are ongoing,” she said, adding that she would be meeting some of the FSM organizations in Guam and how she and Benavente could assist them.
