GRENADA RETURNS TO MANILA

Grenada has opened an Honorary Consulate in Manila, giving the Caribbean nation a man on the ground in the Philippines barely a year after the two countries established diplomatic relations.

Business and civic leader Catherine Tiu-Tan will head the post as honorary consul, handling a relationship that is now moving from formal introductions to the harder business of building trade, political, people-to-people ties.

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo formalized the country’s diplomatic relationship with Grenada by signing a joint communique with Grenada Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Joseph Andall at the sidelines of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations meeting of the Caribbean Community in Saint Kitts and Nevis last year.

With that, the Philippines has established ties with all 14 member-states of the Caricom.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Foreign Affairs Secretary Tess Lazaro, granted the exequatur permitting Tiu-Tan to formally exercise her consular functions in the country.

The new Honorary Consulate is located on the 12th floor of The Boni Prime building at 20th Drive, McKinley Business Park in BGC.

Tiu-Tan said, with the formal opening of the post, Grenada will now have a physical footprint in the Philippines that will foster stronger economic, political, cultural and even sports ties while serving as a dedicated gateway for consular matters and diplomatic collaboration in Southeast Asia.

“Despite the geographic distance between Southeast Asia and the Caribbean, the Philippines and Grenada share identical vulnerabilities, aspirations and opportunities,” said Tiu-Tan, who met Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell in a high-level courtesy call, demonstrating that the Manila post is being recognized at the highest level of the Grenadian government.

“The opening of this honorary consulate is a definitive step toward bringing our people closer, advancing strategic partnerships and translating our shared values into actionable solutions.”

Grenada once had an honorary consular presence in Manila, but it had been inactive for years.

The new post under Tiu-Tan restores an on-the-ground Grenadian presence in the Philippines to assist Grenadian citizens, oversee consular affairs, and facilitate high-level trade delegations to explore commercial opportunities.