The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and Philippine Special Envoy to China Carlos Chan unveiled the Special Envoy Chan Room and signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the latter’s generous donation to the Institute at the Carlos P. Romulo Library on 6 April 2015.

Special Envoy Chan’s contribution to the Institute, amounting to P3 million, will be used to further upgrade the classrooms, library, and offices as well as purchase computers, printers, audio visual equipment, webcasting equipment, student desks and chairs, and foreign language training materials. To honor Special Envoy Chan’s donation, FSI Training Room 558-559 was unveiled as the Special Envoy Carlos Chan Room.

During the signing ceremony, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jesus I. Yabes praised Special Envoy Chan for his unique entrepreneurial vision and his philanthropic spirit. He said that “Special Envoy Chan’s legacy will be etched not only on the brass plate bearing his name but also in the hearts and minds of the individuals who shall pass through these halls. They will not forget that they have a great friend in him.” FSI Director-General Carlos D. Sorreta also thanked Special Envoy Chan for his efforts in furthering Philippine diplomacy and diplomatic education and research through his generous donation.

In his response, Special Envoy Chan said that he “hopes his small token donation will aid the FSI, and the DFA in general, in the attainment of its goals relative to Philippine foreign policy and diplomacy.”

Special Envoy Chan is the Chairman Emeritus of the Liwayway Marketing Corporation, the Chairman Emeritus of Liwayway (China) Co., Ltd., and Chairman of the Board of the Vietnam Liwayway Joint Stock Company. He has also been conferred with the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. Del Rosario earlier presented an FSI Board resolution expressing deep appreciation to Special Envoy Chan. (See DFA’s press release here.)