In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

PBBM sees closer ties with Chile, Qatar, Brunei, Malaysia

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

March 23, 2023, 9:22 pm

<p>President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (File photo)</p>

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (File photo)

MANILA -- President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed hope for an enhanced cooperation with Chile and Qatar, particularly in the areas of disaster response, climate change adaptation, energy security and revenue mobilization.

Marcos made the remark as he welcomed the two countries’ new ambassadors to the Philippines -- Chilean Ambassador Alvaro Domingo Jara Bucarey and Qatar Ambassador Ahmed Saad Nasser Abdullah Al-Hamidi -- at Malacañang Palace.

Marcos, in welcoming the Chilean ambassador, said the Philippines needs partners as countries slowly redefine their economies for post-Covid and post-Ukraine scenarios.

He noted that the Philippines is looking at new technologies and best practices around the world to transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewables.

He particularly cited that while the Philippines is considered as one of the top producers of geothermal power, the country has to explore other areas as old geothermal sources start to run out.

Bucarey told Marcos that the good thing with Chile is its potential for both solar and geothermal energy.

“With solar energy we have been able to modify the energy production in Chile. And we would like to see the north of Chile… there is a lot of presence, tourism mostly but they have an immense potential for energy generation,” Bucarey said.

Marcos expressed delight for the opportunity to explore with the Chilean ambassador some of the new ideas and technologies that are available to both countries.

“So I look forward to that, Mr. Ambassador, and I’m very happy that you have come as the envoy from your country and I am sure – I hope that you will get to see some of my country,” Marcos said.

Meanwhile, Marcos, in welcoming Ambassador Al-Hamidi, said he hopes that the Philippines could work closely with the Gulf country.

He noted that it will be a great advantage to the Philippines if it can learn the best practices from Qatar, especially in the area of revenue and income generation, the President said.

“I think that there are many areas that will provide us opportunities for partnership,” he told the Qatari ambassador.

Al-Hamidi said his country is willing to work with the Philippines in exploring some of the opportunities that the two countries feel they have great potential through years of vibrant diplomatic relations.

Malaysia, Brunei continue helping Mindanao dev’t efforts

He also welcomed Brunei’s Ambassador Megawati Dato Paduka Haji Manan and Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Bin Anthony in Malacanang Palace, thanking the country's two Southeast Asian neighbors for helping bring stability in Mindanao.

Marcos said he remains hopeful that Brunei and Malaysia will continue supporting the development efforts in Mindanao to uplift the living condition of its people.

In welcoming Manan, Marcos said Brunei's assistance and support have been big factors to establish a successful autonomous Muslim government on the southern island of Mindanao.

“So again, I hope that Brunei continues to give our Muslim community in Southern Philippines whatever opportunities are available because that is the best way to assert that having peace is to give a good life to the people, a life that they would like to deserve,” Marcos said.

The approach that the government has taken, Marcos said, is the best formula, which is bringing as much development as quickly as possible in the area that will increase economic activity so people will have good living conditions and all the essentials to turn them away from fighting and the secessionist activity

In response to Marcos, Manan said it would certainly be Brunei’s direction to increase the level of cooperation with the southern region, considering that there are certain commonalities with Brunei.

“And so we hope that we will branch out, you know, expand the existing cooperation to give some – a little bit more opportunities for the south side,” she told the President. “As Mr. President is saying, giving them more big opportunities so that they’ll feel that they’re more empowered in terms of uplifting their lives as well.”

The President and the Brunei ambassador also underscored the importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in resolving regional concerns such as the South China Sea issue and the civil unrest in Myanmar.

Marcos said ASEAN still remains the “most important mover for all of what we attempt diplomatically in terms of the conflicts that we are seeing".

In welcoming the Malaysian ambassador, Marcos recognized Kuala Lumpur’s role in bringing peace to Southern Philippines, expecting it to continue participating in the development of the Bangsamoro region.

“It’s going to be very, very important because as long as we can provide... One of the complaints over the many, many years from the Muslim community in the Philippines was that they are underrepresented and underdeveloped. And they were absolutely right. So we are trying to fix that. We are trying to return a balance,” Marcos said.

The Malaysian ambassador said as the region gains stability, he believes that what Malaysia has done so far will sustain the progress of Mindanao. (PNA)

 

Comments