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PH Consul General Macaraig is back
Philippine Consul General Medardo Macaraig is back on Saipan since Monday, over a month after being off-island to attend to his wife who remains in critical condition in Manila.
“It’s a matter of duty to continue the work here and continue the unfinished business relating to consulate matters,” he told Saipan Tribune in an interview at his office at the Marianas Business Plaza yesterday.
Macaraig left in mid-May after his wife, Teresa Roselyn, suffered a massive stroke and had to be flown to St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City where she continues to receive medical treatment. Macaraig has been with his wife since then.
“I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to all the people who prayed and continue to pray for my wife in this difficult time for our family,” said the father of two daughters.
Macaraig noted that his length of stay on island is subject to any order from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.
For the meantime, Macaraig will be working on preparing his “turnover report” in anticipation of the consulate’s closure after Oct. 31.
“Everybody at the consulate is preparing for it,” he said.
Citing budgetary constraints, Macaraig announced last February DFA’s decision to shut down the Philippine Consulate General on Saipan after over 23 years of service to the island community.
According to Macaraig, the turnover report will serve as the starting point for the Guam consulate, which has been tasked to assume the responsibilities of the Saipan consulate after its closure.
He assured, however, that administrative officer Jose M. Sto. Domingo and finance officer Rowena Tolosa will remain on island for at least a month after Oct. 31 to settle other consulate matters.
Macaraig is also handling basic administrative issues at the consulate such as signing of documents, termination of leases and other contracts, and dealing with office assets. He is also coordinating with the Guam consulate to facilitate the transfer of responsibilities between the two posts.
“I hope that I can meet with the officials of our consulate in Guam after I complete my turnover report so I could discuss that in great detail with them,” he added.
Macaraig also revealed that each of the remaining staff at the consulate have already received their next consular assignments. Macaraig, who assumed his duties as Saipan Consul General on July 26, 2009, will soon head the Consulate in Washington D.C.
In other news, the Philippine Consulate General on Saipan will be open to the public today, July 4, despite being a Liberation Day holiday. The office will provide services from 9am to 4pm. For more information, call 234-1850.
