ANGELES CITY – A slew of commendations rained on outgoing Philippine Consul General Elmer G. Cato from New York City Mayor Eric Adams and officials of the states of New York and New Jersey as he prepared to assume his next overseas posting in Italy.
Cato was particularly cited for his role in looking after the Filipino-American community during the Covid-19 pandemic and the surge in anti-Asian hate.
“I applaud your achievements and your work to fortify the ties between our nations and address important issues that impact people in the five boroughs and beyond…” New York City Mayor Adams wrote in his letter to Cato dated Dec. 20, 2022.
Adams also cited Cato for his efforts “to combat the rise in anti-Asian bias fueled by Covid-19 misinformation.”
Concluding: “It has been an honor to work with you and the team at the Philippine Consulate General to strengthen our diverse and vibrant communities.”
The New York State Assembly, through Rep. Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas also presented Cato with a citation commending him for “promoting the shared history and values between the United States and the Philippines and in the fight against the pandemic and racial discrimination.”
In her citation, Gonzalez-Rojas also specifically mentioned the efforts of Cato in recognizing Filipino healthcare frontline workers and other caregivers, disaster and emergency response in the 2021 flooding incident in Queens, assistance to Filipino nationals “particularly those in distress and in need of consular services.”
“The City of New York will celebrate Honorable Elmer G. Cato which he has ably represented as Philippine Consul General in New York,” Gonzalez-Rojas wrote.
Newly-elected New York Assembly Member Steven Raga, the first Filipino-American to be elected to the state legislature, also commended Cato for his performance, particularly his effective outreach efforts among members of the Filipino Community.
Officials of Bergen County in New Jersey also praised Cato for his leadership and for [his] “unwavering dedication by empowering Filipino community.”
Bergen County executive James J. Tedesco, III presented Cato with a commendation “in honor and recognition of your outstanding leadership, exemplary commitment and your unwavering dedication by empowering Filipino community and your determination to fight for basic rights, to help build the lives of many and in appreciation of your incredible leadership that gained you respect within the Filipino community.”
At home, the Angeles City Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the work of Cato in New York and nearby states.
Principally authored by councilor Jay Sangil, a contemporary of Cato in journalism practice before he entered the foreign service, the resolution hailed Cato’s efforts “where he has safeguarded the welfare of Filipinos in the area of coverage of PCGNY”
“Consul General Elmer G. Cato, a proud Angeleno and Capampangan, has always pursued the interest of the country as a diplomat in his foreign posts,” the resolution stated.
The New York Filipino Community also feted Cato on Thursday during a send off event at the Charthouse Restaurant in New Jersey that was attended by some 200 members from New York and New Jersey.
Cato will be taking over as consul general of the Philippine Consulate General in Milan, Italy. Punto News Team
