Silvestre Bello set to step down as Meco chief in Taiwan

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Former Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is set to step down as the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) chairman on Monday (September 30).

Bello will be replaced by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

According to Bello’s Sunday statement, the seven-member Meco board will hold its regular meeting on Monday and “act on the desire letter of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” where he nominated Garafil as a member and new chair of the board.

READ: Marcos recommends Cheloy Garafil as new Meco chair

PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil’s (PHOTO: Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

The chief executive’s recommendation came after Cesar Chavez took his oath as new chief of the PCO last September 5. It was not clear if Garafil resigned as PCO head.

In a letter to Marcos, the Federation of Filipino Communities in Taiwan said their support for Bello “is a testament to his effective leadership and the trust he has built within the community.”

“(He) has been instrumental in fostering strong ties between the Filipino community and the broader Taiwanese society,” the federation said.

“His work involved addressing the needs and concerns of Filipinos living and working in Taiwan, ensuring their rights are protected and promoting their welfare. Such efforts not only enhance the quality of life for individuals but also strengthen the cultural and social bonds between the two nations,” it noted.

The federation is among the 30 organizations of overseas Filipino workers and Filipino migrants comprising the Filipino community in Taiwan.