Legislature honors Arago for community service

Glicerio “Eli” Arago, center, receives a House Resolution commending his contribution to the community and at the same time congratulating him for his appointment as the Philippines’ honorary consul to the CNMI. The ceremony was held yesterday before the start of the special session at the House of Representatives. (Jon Perez)

The CNMI House of Representatives recognized the various contributions of Glicerio “Eli” Del Mundo Arago and also congratulated him for his appointment as the Philippines’ honorary consul to the CNMI.

Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan) introduced House Resolution 19-15, which was given to Arago yesterday before the start of a House special session that was attended by 19 House members.

Propst said that Arago, “Eli” to his friends and colleagues, has been living and working on Saipan for the past 30 years where he has made a significant contribution to the community—whether in business or in various events.

“Arago’s admirable community service, unrelenting support, and untiring assistance to his [countrymen] together with his professional achievements in the CNMI earned him, in 2000, the prestigious Bagong Bayani (New Hero) award.

Former Philippine president Joseph Estrada personally handed the award to Arago. The Bagong Bayani Foundation Inc. gives out the award in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Association.

Arago has also been active in various socio-civic organizations like the Saipan Filipino-Americans Lions Clubs, which is involved in different community projects. He was named an Outstanding Lion in 1993.

He was appointed by the Department of Foreign Affairs as the Philippines’ honorary consul to the CNMI last year, allowing him to further help his countrymen in their hour of need. The U.S. State Department also approved his accreditation.

“I am very honored to receive this resolution. Rest assured that I am going to work harder to become a responsible member of the community,” said Arago, who came from humble beginnings in the town of Mabini in Batangas province in the Philippines.

He grew up in a barrio where he helped his parents, Anacleto Asilo Arago and Leodegaria Dalangin Del Mundo, in various farm chores.

After finishing his primary and secondary education in his hometown, Arago studied at the University of the East in Manila where he graduated Cum Laude in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, major in Accounting.

He worked as an accounting clerk while reviewing for the Certified Public Accountant exam and in 1975 passed the board exam given by the Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines. He arrived on Saipan in 1986 to join Tan Holdings as an internal auditor and stayed with the same company where he was promoted to various positions. Arago is now senior vice president of Tan Holdings.