BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has been invited by the US Embassy in Manila to attend the commemoration of the 242nd Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America on July 3 at the Makati Shangri-la.

US Ambassador Sung Kim sent a formal invitation to Leonardia recently.

It is expected that among the dignitaries attending are diplomats, government officials, businessmen, and foreign and local media.

“We want to congratulate the American people on the occasion of their 242nd anniversary of Independence,” Leonardia said.

“We are grateful to Ambassador Kim that Bacolod City is among those he considers as significant contributors to Filipino- American friendship,” the mayor added.

During the MassKara Festival in October last year, US Embassy Political Section–Internal Political Unit chief Joshua Morris and political specialist Marjorie Gaddi visited Bacolod and paid Leonardia a courtesy visit at the Government Center.

As a mayor and former congressman, Leonardia is among the select officials often invited to diplomatic occasions.(PR)