PRESS RELEASE
SFPCG-PR-16-2021
PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL IN SAN FRANCISCO CALLS ON THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES
Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer (left) virtually calls on California Office of
Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci (seated center, right picture), Assistant Director
for International Affairs Helen Lopez (seated left, right picture) and Chief for Legislative and
External Relations Reggie Salvador (seated right, right picture) on 25 February 2021.
Newly arrived Consul General of the Philippines in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer called on Mr. Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the California Office of Emergency Services (CALOES), on 25 February 2021 virtually via Zoom. Director Ghilarducci was accompanied by Ms. Helen Lopez, Assistant Director for International Affairs, and Mr. Reggie Salvador, Chief for Legislative and External Relations.
CALOES is the coordinating agency of the State of California in the areas of emergency preparedness, response, recovery and homeland security activities. CALOES dispatches teams to assist those affected by disasters and other events that threaten public safety. Recently, CALOES has taken an active role in disseminating critical information concerning the state’s pandemic response.
Director Ghilarducci extended a warm welcome to Consul General Ferrer and looked forward to closer interactions in the future. Consul General likewise shared that he hoped to further engage with CALOES and visit its facilities once it is much safer to do so. He also acknowledged his appreciation for the many Filipino-Americans working in the agency, including Chief Salvador.
Consul General Ferrer expressed appreciation for CALOES’ pivotal role in facilitating the repatriation of 444 Filipino crew and passengers of the Grand Princess cruise ship in March 2020. Director Ghilarducci acknowledged this and noted that CALOES was “happy to help” during that undertaking.
Director Ghilarducci and Assistant Director Lopez thanked the Philippine Consulate General for signing up to CALOES’ Listos California campaign. Listos California was launched in 2020 as an initiative to boost disaster-preparedness by connecting vulnerable Californians to information, tools and other resources that may assist them during the pandemic and other disasters. The Consulate signed up for the program and information concerning disaster / pandemic toolkits that it receives is disseminated in its website and social media pages.
Noting that the Philippines and California are both disaster-prone, Consul General Ferrer remarked during the call that there may be opportunities for engagement between CALOES and counterpart agencies in the Philippines. He remarked that, “as both the Philippines and California experience similar challenges in dealing with emergencies, I look forward to partnerships and further engagements, especially, but not limited to, the provision of trainings and sharing of best practices.” / END