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June is NMI-PH Friendship Month
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Posted on May 30 2019
In recognition of a shared heritage and similar customs, traditions, and values, the Commonwealth government declared yesterday the month of June as NMI-Philippines Friendship Month, with Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios inking the proclamation at the Governor’s Office conference room.
The proclamation signing was witnessed by honorary Philippine consul to the NMI Glicerio “Eli” Arago and prominent members of the Filipino community in the CNMI.
“This is important to us because the CNMI is like home to Filipinos,” Arago said later in an interview. Arago noted that both the CNMI and the Philippines share similar histories, beliefs, and traditions. “Our relationship [with the CNMI] goes way back in the 15th century during the Spanish colonization.”
Arago noted that there are about 18,000 Filipino nationals in the CNMI, representing almost 35 percent of the CNMI population.
“There were a lot of [marriages] that are not included in that statistic, so there are [possibly] a lot more,” he said, adding that the numbers were based on the most recent census.
Separately, Palacios said the Filipino community has contributed many decades to the betterment of the Commonwealth, “so we need to recognize that and give a mutual respect to them in every opportunity we can.”
