CONSUL GENERAL FERRER PROMOTES PHILIPPINE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY TIES DURING COLORADO OUTREACH
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer (7th from left), Philippine Honorary Consul to Colorado Donna Lavigne (6th from right) with key US business and community leaders in Colorado (San Francisco PCG photo)
AURORA, COLORADO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco successfully concluded its two-day Consular Outreach Mission in Aurora, Colorado, held from 25 to 26 July 2025. In addition to delivering essential consular services to Filipinos and Filipino Americans in Colorado and surrounding states, the outreach also served as a dynamic platform for promoting trade and investment opportunities between the Philippines and the United States.
At the sidelines of the outreach, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer engaged in a productive dialogue with a diverse group of U.S. business and community leaders. He was joined by Honorary Consul Donna Lavigne and Executive Assistant Jennifer Sto. Domingo. Business and community leaders in Colorado who were present included Mr. Florian De Castro (President, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, Colorado), Dra. Maria Obis and Dr. Alexander Africa (National Federation of Filipino-American Association – NaFFAA Region V), Ms. Sara Garcia (XQ Manufacturing), Dr. Chris Gorog (CEO, BlockFrame), Ms. Fritzie Rieis (Megaworld), Ms. Leni De Castro (FACCCo member), and Dr. Ramon Navarro (Crosswind Church).
During the meeting, Consul General Ferrer said, “This outreach underscores our deep commitment to serving our nationals abroad, and equally, to creating new avenues for economic opportunities for the Philippines. Now is truly a prime time to invest in the Philippines, leveraging the robust and stable Philippines-U.S. relationship.”
He underscored the Philippines’ strategic goal to become a regional hub for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services, supported by an increasingly favorable investment environment. Recent legislation such as the CREATE MORE Act and amendments to the Trade Liberalization Act and Foreign Investments Act offer strong incentives to foreign investors. Consul General Ferrer also pointed to the country’s special economic zones, and highly skilled workforce, particularly in engineering and IT, as major draws for potential partners.
Consul General Ferrer concluded the meeting by reiterating the Consulate’s commitment to deepening its engagement with organizations like FACCCo and NaFFAA, and acknowledged their critical role in fostering meaningful connections with U.S. based companies seeking to expand or diversify their operations and supply chains. END
L-R: Dr. Ramon Navarro of Crosswind Church, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, Ms. Sara Garcia of XQ Manufacturing, Dra. Maria Obis of NaFFAA, CEO Chris Gorog of Block Frame, Mr. Florian de Castro of FACCCo, Dr. Alexander Africa of NaFFFAA Region V and Honorary Consul Donna Lavigne
Second Row L-R: Ms. Fritzie Rieis of MegaWorld, Ms. Lenie De Castro of FACCCo (PCG San Francisco photo)