On September 03, 2014, the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip S. Goldberg, paid a quick visit to Laoag City, arriving at 02:00 in the afternoon at the City Hall and proceeded directly to the Office of the City Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas. Ambassador Goldberg and some Officers of the U.S. Embassy had a short dialogue with the Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod members led by Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer Michael V. Fariñas.
At the City Auditorium, the Heads of Offices of the City Government of Laoag and their assistants, members of the Tri-Media, the renowned Samiweng singers of the Ilocos Norte National High School, and the Cuerdas (rondalla ensemble) welcomed Ambassador Goldberg with a short program.
Mayor Fariñas expressed her warmest thanks and overwhelming appreciation to the Ambassador, for visiting Laoag City. Mayor Fariñas enumerated some of the international and national awards that Laoag City had received during the incumbency of then Mayor Michael V. Farinas, and another forthcoming award by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR) to be given this December 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
For his part, Ambassador Goldberg acknowledged the many years of partnership between America and the Philippines, stressing the presence and contribution of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos living in the USA. He assured his country’s support to our national and local endeavours, specially involving maritime issues, considering our proximity to the sea.
e likened Laoag City to that of Wahington D.C., obviously not in terms of advancement in technology or development, but because it is where the capital seat of government of Ilocos Norte is located. He admitted being relaxed in Laoag City, and noticed no climate change effects in the City.
Thank you for the visit Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg!
