Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has endorsed former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) secretary Cheloy Garafil as a member and chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), Malacañang announced on Tuesday.
Marcos issued a desire letter, expressing his intent for Garafil to lead the MECO Board of Directors, the PCO said in a Facebook post.
‘President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through a desire letter, recommends Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil as Member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO),’ the PCO said.
The PCO did not release a copy of the desire letter.
Garafil’s appointment to MECO was first announced on Sept. 5.
Garafil was the chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board until she became PCO secretary in January 2023.
She was also a prosecutor and state solicitor under the Justice Department and the Office of the Solicitor General, respectively.
Garafil worked
as a journalist for over a decade and served as a media officer of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
MECO’s mandate is to serve as a link between the peoples of the Philippines and Taiwan.
As the duly designated instrumentality to promote and protect Philippine interests in Taiwan, MECO has the authority to perform functions usually carried out by Philippine foreign missions but of a non-political, non-security nature.
MECO performs consular functions and is responsible for the protection and promotion of the well-being of Philippine nationals in Taiwan.
It is also tasked to assist in the formulation of a comprehensive action plan in Taiwan, as well as to act as the coordinator of all Philippine activities concerning Taiwan.
Source: Philippines News Agency
