Consul General Aragon addressing the Los Angeles City Council. Flanking her are Councilmembers Richard Alarcon and Eric Garcetti
LOS ANGELES — Consul General Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon reported that the city of Los Angeles, during its City Council Meeting on Friday, 14 December 2007, presented several Filipino American health care workers with certificates of commendation for their exemplary work as health care professionals and as role models. The commendations were awarded by Councilmember Richard Alarcon of District 7 and Councilmember and current Council President Eric Garcetti of District 13 to 13 exemplary Filipino American doctors and nurses from the city of Los Angeles.
Councilmember Alarcon acknowledged Filipino Americans as an integral part of the health care workforce in the city who continue to meet the demands of an expanding healthcare system with their demonstrated skill, work ethic and passion. He added that everyone who encounters Filipinos in hospitals can rest assured that they are highly qualified professionals with unquestionable credentials.
For his part, Councilmember Garcetti thanked Filipino Americans for looking after the well-being of Los Angeles residents. He recalled that he sponsored the creation of Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles in 2003 in recognition of the vibrant Filipino community in the city. In reference to the recent Desperate Housewives episode maligning Philippine medical schools, Councilmember Garcetti expressed his belief that the good record of Filipino Americans in healthcare will prevail over any misinformed comments about the second-largest Asian ethnic group in Los Angeles. Councilmember Bill Rosendahl (District 11), who proudly stated that he has visited the Philippines, recognized the Filipinos as the backbone of the U.S. nursing industry.
Councilmember Tom Labonge (District 4) echoed his colleagues’ high praise for Filipinos in helping the U.S. meet its healthcare needs.In her response to the Councilmembers, Consul General Aragon expressed her profound appreciation to the Los Angeles City Council for recognizing Filipino Americans who have distinguished themselves in the field of healthcare services in the city of Los Angeles. She added that over the years, Filipino healthcare workers have established a solid reputation in many parts of the world particularly in the United States in the services sector, most notably in health care provision.
She thanked Councilmembers Garcetti and Alarcon for continuing to champion causes concerning Filipino-Americans in Los Angeles. She added that she looks forward to working even more closely with the City of Los Angeles in attending to the needs of Filipino-Americans in Los Angeles. The awardees are: Dr. Francisco P. Quismorio, Jr., Dr. Robinson Villaverde Baron, Ms. Mila Velasquez, Ms. Lydia Roblow-Jimenez, Dr. Rolando Mercader, Dr. Noli Soza, Dr. Arnel Joaquin, Dr. Erwinn Sistoza, Dr. Mariedel Leviste-Mosqueda, Ms. Violeta Unabia, Dr. Edgar Bañez, Dr. Delia Cabansag, and Ms. Josie Jones. Before the awarding of commendations, Consul General Aragon met briefly with other Los Angeles City officials, namely Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilmember Tony Cardenas (District 6), and Councilmember Wendy Greuel (District 2).