Former Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III will formally step down as Chairman of Taiwan’s Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) tomorrow, September 30, 2024.
This, as former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil will formally assume her new role as the MECO chairperson after Bello’s two-year stint at the MECO post under the Marcos administration.
In a statement on Sunday, Bello said that the seven-member MECO board will convene for its regular meeting on Monday to address the request from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has nominated Garafil as a new member and chair of the board.
Several Filipino organizations in Taiwan, such as the Federation of Filipino Communities, thanked Bello for his effective leadership during his stint.
The organization likewise recognized his dedication to improving the lives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and strengthening the relationship between the Filipino community and Taiwanese society.
“Such efforts not only enhance the quality of life for individuals but also strengthen the cultural and social bonds between the two nations,” the Federation of Filipino Communities said.
Garafil is a lawyer and former journalist, having worked as a reporter for *Malaya*, the *Philippine Daily Globe*, and Taiwan’s Central News Agency before transitioning to full-time government service. (TCSP)
