IT WAS a festive gathering to celebrate an Indonesian milestone. In Davao, the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia hosted a cocktail event to commemorate the 72nd Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.
Consul General Berlian Napitupulu, his wife, Elizabeth, and the other consular officers personally welcomed guests from Davao’s business, government, hospitality and private sectors.
Aside from highlighting the important Indonesian occasion, Consul General Napitupulu also acknowledged the importance of the relationship of Davao and Mindanao to his country.
The past months have been the most visible time for Indonesian consular office. Their effort to cultivate the bilateral relations with Davao and Philippines through a series of special events is very admirable. Davaoeños have been the recipient to free Bahasa Indonesia lessons and cooking lessons. Cultural programs, business matching, trade shows that foster business partnership between the two nations, such as the First Indonesian Manufactured Products Expo, are constantly held in Davao and other Mindanao cities. A new addition to the program is the writing contest open to the media and bloggers, and they announced the winners of the first tilt during the celebration.
Perhaps one of the most significant efforts to nurture the bilateral relations to date is the establishment of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung connection via the Roro shipping service. The new connectivity can enrich the existing trade between the Philippines and Indonesia with Mindanao as the gateway.
Consul General Napitupulu said in his message, “Thanks to the support of our Philippines friends especially to the Davao City Mayor, our task is easier and our mission (has) become achievable.”
City administrator Zuleika Lopez relayed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s message, “We take pride and honor with city’s strong friendship with Indonesia. I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Republic of Indonesia most especially to my friend, the Consul General, for the untiring support to the city government of Davao. It is our hope that the good relationship between and Indonesia and Davao City would bring about growth and development for both cities.”
To our neighbor and friend, happy 72nd Independence Day!
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