Non-resident Philippine Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives
On 12 June 1898, the Philippines became the first republic in Asia, and today we give honor to the Filipino heroes, our forefathers, who made great sacrifices to leave a legacy of freedom and to assert a place for us, with equality, among the community of nations.
As part of the present and future Philippines, our Government has this year appealed to us to “Follow the footsteps of the great Filipinos toward permanent and widespread change.”
The headways that have been made under the helm of President Benigno S. Aquino III, guiding the nation in the path of good governance, though they make us proud, are accomplishments that are incomplete without a society that has inclusive growth and stable sustainability. The call, therefore, is not to cease to progress and to care until the country’s cohesiveness as a people is reached with its sovereignty protected and its future safe and secure.
As a fellow developing country, with equally impressive consistent growth rates and accomplishments worthy of replication in its pursuits in the areas of territorial dispute using the international legal regime and the achievement of MDG targets in maternal and child health, the Philippines looks upon Bangladesh as its partner, as both move forward to take on the many challenges that the future and the changing world present to us.
The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka sees this 42nd year of diplomatic friendship between Bangladesh and the Philippines as marking a partnership that is active and productive.
This year we signed a new cultural agreement to heighten our understanding of our two cultures and increase people-to-people interaction. We also signed a visa agreement for diplomatic and official passports to facilitate more engagement between our countries, especially with the signing later this year of an agreement that calls for regular joint policy consultation at the highest level.
We look forward to Bangladesh’s continued support and partnership in international fora on issues of labor and migration; climate change and environment; agriculture, finance, health, education and governance; including in the Organization for Islamic Conference.
We are also very pleased about the creation of the Bangladesh Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dhaka and its counterpart in Manila to facilitate professional and strategic connectivity in the field of trade and investment in both our countries. I take this opportunity to thank all those who are involved in this endeavor.
The Philippines looks forward to greater cooperation that would build upon the reliable partnership that has existed between the Philippines and Bangladesh since we officially established diplomatic relations in February 1972.
VICENTE VIVENCIO T. BANDILLO
Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh