U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson paid a courtesy call on Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo May 30 and stressed the healthy and vibrant relations between the Philippines and the United States of America, particularly on mutual defense and economic cooperation.
Remollo, meanwhile, stressed the importance of the close cooperation of both countries that provided their citizens with more opportunities to live, work, travel, study and retire in cities of their choice.
The U.S. remains as the city’s number one source of international tourists with 6,373 American nationals having visited Dumaguete in 2024 alone.
Carlson also noted the recent visit of U.S. Consul General Brendan Mullarkey and Consul Kristofor Graf Chief of the American Citizens Services Unit, when Remollo’s leadership and partnership with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines was cited as having “protected vulnerable Americans and reinforced Dumaguete’s reputation as a welcoming home for U.S. citizen retirees and visitors alike.”
She added that the U.S. is committed to help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the transportation sector to boost the country’s economy.
Carlson and her party toured the National Museum of the Philippines-Dumaguete City before the visit to City Hall that was also attended by city administrator Lilani Ramon and other local officials.
Dumaguete ranked as the 2025 Safest City to Visit in the Philippines by the World Travel Index, scoring 81.36 out of a possible 100 points, higher than the other cities across the country, including Davao City in second spot with a 80.73 score.
The Philippine Retirement Authority cited Dumaguete as one of the Retirement Areas Deemed as Retiree-Friendly (RADAR) in the Philippines in 2018, with a score of 97.48, in accordance with the criteria set by international organizations, like the United Nations, World Health Organization, and International Living, the city said. ||
