Filipinos Counting on New York City Mayor in Making Streets Safe Again

Press Release EGC-010-2022 6 February 2022 FILIPINOS COUNTING ON NEW YORK CITY MAYOR IN MAKING STREETS SAFE AGAIN COURTESY CALL. New York City Commissioner for International Affairs, Edward A. Mermelstein pays a courtesy call on Consul General Elmer G. Cato at the Philippine Consulate General in New York on Thursday, 03 February 2022 to give assurance that addressing anti-Asian hate is a top priority of Mayor Eric Adams. (Photo by Marianne Olfindo) NEW YORK—Filipinos are counting on New York City Mayor Eric Adams in making the streets safe again by addressing homelessness and mental health issues that have contributed to the surge in anti-Asian hate violence against Filipinos and other members of the Asian-American Community in the past year.   This was personally conveyed to New York City Commissioner for International Affairs Edward A. Mermelstein during a courtesy call on Consul General Elmer G. Cato at the Philippine Consulate General on Thursday, 03 February 2022. “We welcome the plans of Mayor Adams to address homelessness and mental health as these concerns are inextricably linked to the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents in New York City,” Consul General Cato said. During the meeting, Consul General Cato said he is hoping to…

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Public Advisory: Entry Guidelines for US and Other Foreign Nationals Visiting the Philippines for Tourism, Business Purposes

Public Advisory 009-202204 February 2022 ENTRY GUIDELINES FOR US AND OTHER FOREIGN NATIONALS VISITING THE PHILIPPINES FOR TOURISM, BUSINESS PURPOSES The Philippine Consulate General in New York wishes to inform the public that, per IATF Resolution No. 160-B, fully-vaccinated Americans can travel to the Philippines for business or leisure beginning 10 February 2022, and will no longer be required to undergo facility-based quarantine. The new guidelines cover fully vaccinated former Filipino citizens with Balikbayan privilege, including their foreign spouses and/or children traveling with them to the Philippines; provided that they are not restricted nationals; and fully vaccinated citizens of the United States and of countries entitled to stay visa-free for not more than 30 days under Executive Order 408, S. 1960.Unvaccinated foreign nationals will be denied admission into the country.When is a foreign national considered fully-vaccinated?When he has received the second dose in a two-dose series, or a single dose of a recognized vaccine more than 14 days prior to the date and time of departure;What do they need to present?Proof of vaccination;A negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure;Valid return-tickets not later than 30 days after arrival in the Philippines;A passport valid for at least six months;…

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New York PCG Constitutes Overseas Election Teams

Press Release EGC-009-2022 3 February 2022 NEW YORK PCG CONSTITUTES OVERSEAS ELECTION TEAMS Consul General Elmer G. Cato (far left) swear in members of of the Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG) led by Consul Ricarte Abejuela III (2nd from left). New York, 3 February 2022 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York has constituted and sworn in the members of the various teams that will oversee the participation of kababayan in the United States northeast in the national elections in the Philippines scheduled on 9 May 2022.  Consul General Elmer G. Cato swore in the various members of the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI) and the Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG) who will ensure the successful conduct of overseas voting that will begin on 9 April 2022.  Consul General Cato said approximately 39,000 registered overseas voters within the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in New York are expected to participate in this year’s elections. Registered overseas voters will select the President, Vice President, Senators, and Party-List Representatives for the next term via postal voting. Consul General Cato said ballots will be mailed to registered voters before 9 April 2022 and should be received…

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Public Advisory: Starting 1 February, Fully-Vaccinated Kababayan with Negative RT-PCR Results No Longer Required to Quarantine Upon Arrival

Public Advisory 008-202229 January 2022 STARTING 1 FEBRUARY, FULLY-VACCINATED KABABAYAN WITH NEGATIVE RT-PCR RESULTS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE UPON ARRIVAL The Philippine Consulate General in New York wishes to inform the Filipino Community that effective 1 February 2022, facility-based quarantine will no longer be required for fully-vaccinated kababayan arriving in the Philippines as long as they can present negative RT-PCR test results taken 48 hours prior to their departure from the United States.  Under IATF Resolution No. 159 dated 27 January 2022,  kababayan shall only be required to self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven (7) days with the first day being the date of arrival in the Philippines and to report to their local government unit upon the manifestation of symptoms, if any. This latest development will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down during the pandemic, while also providing more time to those who want to return home to be with their loved ones in the Philippines. Overseas Filipinos who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, shall still be required to undergo quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken…

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Public Advisory: Winter Storm Warning for Tri-State, New England

Public Advisory 007-202227 January 2022 WINTER STORM WARNING FOR TRI-STATE, NEW ENGLAND The Philippine Consulate General in New York would like to inform the Filipino Community in the United States Northeast that an intensifying “bomb cyclone” is expected to hit the Tri-State area beginning Friday night through the weekend, with a powerful winter storm expecting to dump about a foot of snow on New York City, causing hazardous travel conditions. The heaviest snowfall, which is predicted to dump 12 to 18 inches of snow, will impact areas like Boston and much of the New England region. Communities along the coast could experience serious flooding. While the forecast of the snow storm may still change, kababayan are encouraged to take the necessary precautions. Kababayan are also strongly advised to monitor the weather closely going forward. ###

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PCG New York Welcomes Establishment of Hiraya Foundation

Press Release EGC-008-2022 25 January 2022 PCG NEW YORK WELCOMES ESTABLISHMENT OF HIRAYA FOUNDATION Consul General Elmer G. Cato (far left) swears in the Hiraya Foundation's Board of Directors (L-R) Dr. Romulo Aromin, Jr., Dr. Dely Go, Atty. Lawrence Ira Safran, Ms. Nora Galleros, and Mr. Jovito Rabelas. (Photo by Marianne Olfindo) New York, 25 January 2022 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York has welcomed the establishment of the Hiraya Foundation for Filipino-American Heritage Preservation, a non-profit organization that aims to promote and preserve Filipino heritage in the United States and in the Philippines.  “We are truly heartened see kababayan mobilizing themselves in support of our call for more efforts to preserve our identity and culture in the United States,” Consul General Elmer G. Cato said after inducting the five pioneering board members of the Hiraya Foundation at the Philippine Center on Monday.  “We look forward to working with the Hiraya Foundation in promoting and preserving our heritage through the establishment of the first Filipino cultural center in our part of the United States,” Consul General Cato said.  Inducted were Dr. Romulo Alcalde Aromin, Jr., Chairman of the Board and President; Dr. Dely Po Go, President-Elect; Atty. Lawrence…

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Public Advisory: Disaster-Related Donations / Solicitations

Public Advisory 006-202219 January 2022 ADVISORY ON DISASTER-RELATED DONATIONS / SOLICITATIONS The Philippine Consulate General in New York advises the public to exercise extreme vigilance and caution when donating or sharing financial details to individuals and/or organizations soliciting material and/or financial donations purportedly for victims of disasters in the Philippines.Prospective donors are further advised to verify and confirm the authenticity of their intended charitable organization or fundraising/donation program to ensure that their donations are not pocketed or diverted to operations outside of the intended charitable cause.Here are some tips to protect yourself from questionable fundraising activities:Do not let anyone make you feel pressured or rushed when making a donation.Do not give your bank details, credit card number, checking account number and other personal information to someone you do not know or have just met.Take the time to research about an organization and its programs, taking into consideration if it is a reputable organization or whether it operates domestically or internationally. Request specific information and seek transparency about how an organization will use your donation. Will it go to your intended recipient or will it mostly be used for administrative and fundraising expenses?Do not assume that a fundraising program or charitable organization…

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Public Advisory: Updated Entry and Testing for International Passengers Bound for the Philippines (Effective 16 January 2022)

Public Advisory 005-2022 18 January 2022 UPDATED ENTRY AND TESTING FOR INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS BOUND FOR THE PHILIPPINES (EFFECTIVE 16 JANUARY 2022) The Philippine Consulate General in New York informs the public of the following updated entry and testing protocols for international passengers coming from the United States and other countries in the Yellow List, who have been allowed entry to the Philippines. For Vaccinated Travelers:1. A negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours prior to the departure from the country of origin will be required.2. Upon arrival, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with RT-PCR test taken on the fifth (5th) day, with the date of arrival being the first day.3. Once with a negative result, they may be released for completion of home quarantine up to the seventh (7th) day from the date of arrival. For Unvaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Travelers:1. A negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours prior to departure from the country of origin will be required.2. Upon arrival, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test done on the seventh (7th) day, with the date of arrival being the first day.3. Once with a negative result, they may be released for completion of home quarantine…

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American Jewish Committee Cited for ‘Odette’ Relief Aid

Press Release EGC-007-2022 12 January 2022 AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE CITED FOR 'ODETTE' RELIEF AID The American Jewish Committee (AJC) supports relief mission in Philippines affected by Typhoon Odette. (Photo via www.ajc.org) New York, 12 January 2022 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York has expressed its appreciation to the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for the assistance extended to the victims of Typhoon Odette, which devastated parts of Central and Southern Philippines last month. Typhoon Odette, which is considered the third costliest typhoon in the Philippines, left more than 400 dead, displaced thousands and caused more than P39.3 billion in damage in various parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.   “On behalf of a grateful people, we thank the American Jewish Committee and IsraAID for again coming to the assistance of the Philippines,” Consul General Elmer G. Cato said in his letter to Director Shira Loewenberg of the AJC Asia Pacific Institute.  “Your continued assistance to the Filipino people during natural disasters is indeed a reflection of the Jewish value of tikkun olam – that whoever saves a life is considered by scripture to have saved the whole world,” Consul General Cato added. This was the fourth time in recent memory that…

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Public Advisory: Winter Weather Advisory for NYC

Public Advisory 004-2022 10 January 2022 WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NYC The Philippine Consulate General in New York would like to inform members of the Filipino Community in the United States northeast to prepare for freezing temperatures starting tonight that has not been experienced in years. The temperature in New York City is forecasted to dip to 17 degrees Fahrenheit (-8 degrees Celsius) by early Tuesday, 11 January 2022, and weather will be bitterly cold, breezy, and sunny for the rest of the day. Kababayan are encouraged to stay indoors, or to bundle up, if they need to go out, and to check on the vulnerable, such as the elderly, and those with health risks.

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