New York has a new Consul General: Petronila Garcia

Petronila P. Garcia officially assumed on October 17  her post as Philippine Consul General in New York.

A career diplomat with the rank of Chief of Mission I, Garcia has served the government for 40 years. She previously served as the Philippine Ambassador to Canada from January 2014 to September 2020, becoming the first female ambassador to Canada since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1949. She also served as the Philippine Ambassador to Israel from 2007 to 2011 and the first woman ambassador assigned by the Philippines to an Arab country, the Arab Republic of Egypt, with concurrent jurisdiction over Sudan from 2004 to 2007.

Garcia told the 14th Filipina Leadership Global Summit Gala Awards Ceremony of the Filipina Women’s Network that she was honored on two occasions to have been named the first woman envoy — to Canada and Israel.

“I have countless stories to share about the challenges I have faced. But tonight is not the time to tell you those stories,” she said, proceeding instead to congratulate the honorees.

She said, Filipino women have long broken the glass ceiling when Corazon Aquino became the first lady president. “We are Filipinas. We are leaders. And we shall lead others.”

Garcia’s other foreign assignments include the following: Minister and Chargé d’affaires, a.i. at the Philippine Embassy in South Korea from 1997 to 1999; Counsellor and Chargé d’affaires, a.i. at the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa from 1995 to 1997; Counsellor at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv from 1993 to 1995; Consul at the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, Australia from 1987 to 1992; and Third Secretary and Consul at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore from 1984 to 1987.

In Manila, Garcia held the position of Assistant Secretary at the Office of Middle East and African Affairs from 2011 to 2014. She also served as Executive Director at the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs from 2003 to 2004, Executive Director at the United Nations and International Organizations from 2002 to 2003, Special Assistant at the Public Information Services Unit from 2000 to 2002, Head of the Department Legislative Liaison Unit from 1999 to 2000, Director at the Office of Middle East and African Affairs from 1991 to 1993, Assistant Director at the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs from 1983 to 1984, Assistant Director at the Office of European Affairs from 1983 to 1985 and Principal Assistant at the United Nations and International Organizations from 1981 to 1983.

Garcia joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1981, after passing the Foreign Service Officer’s examination. She also passed the Career Minister’s examination in 1994. She is a member of the High IQ society, MENSA.

She replaced Ambassador Claro Cristobal who retired from the service.