PH, New Zealand sign education deal; Filipinos well-loved in NZ – PM Ardern

The Philippines and New Zealand signed an agreement improving the education ties between the two countries as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed that the Filipinos are wellloved in her country.

The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and the Philippines Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on the Comparative Analysis of New Zealand and the Philippines’ Bachelor’s Degrees happened during the bilateral meeting between President Duterte and Ardern at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City late Tuesday night.

The agreement was signed by CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan and New Zealand

Ambassador to the Philippines David Strachan.

“Well, this is one good development. Education,” Duterte told Ardern, who is also one of the newest, and the youngest, member of the recently concluded East Asia Summit (EAS).

“It’s in good hands and of course, we can have access to the quality of education in New Zealand. It would be happy,” he added.

Duterte, as chair of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, also chaired the EAS. He arrived at the bilateral meeting after attending the ASEAN Summit’s closing ceremony and holding a press conference.

Ardern said during the bilateral meeting that the signing of the agreement is in recognition of the Philippines and New Zealand’s ties on education.

Aside from the education agreement, Ardern also told Duterte that the Philippine Airlines will now be having direct, nonstop flights to Auckland, New Zealand, beginning next month.

“But I was very pleased today that there has been an announcement that Philippine Airlines will be flying direct to New Zealand starting in December which will be a fantastic opportunity,” she said.

Duterte, in response, told Ardern that this was the first time he has heard of the news. Filipino community in New Zealand

Meanwhile, Ardern said that the Filipino community is a well-loved community in the land of Kiwis.

“The Filipino community is a strong community in New Zealand. It’s a strong, buoyant community, and wellloved,” the lady Prime Minister said.

Ardern also praised Romeo Udanga whom she said did a “phenomenal job” during last year’s election in New Zealand.

Udanga, a Filipino-born politician who ran under Ardern’s Labour Party and had sought a seat in Parliament last year. He, however, lost in the polls.

Human rights

But prior to their bilateral meeting, Ardern said the she will raise the issue on alleged cases of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in the country with Duterte as these cases deserve to be investigated.

Ardern made the frank statement before members of the Kiwi press Tuesday, hours ahead of her scheduled bilateral meeting with Duterte.

She said there have been too many alleged killings in the country since Duterte assumed office.

“Our view is that the number of deaths certainly requires investigation and oversight at the very least,” Ardern told her media pool early Tuesday.

“There have been attempts from the international community as my understanding [but] those have not been accepted,” she added.

According to Ardern, just like any other country, New Zealand has taken a view on the policies that were rolled out by Duterte, especially regarding his drug campaign.

“Certainly, it would be the concern of any country – that level of death as a consequence of that policy,” she said.

Malacañang is yet to confirm whether the issue of human rights or EJKs were raised during the bilateral meeting, or provide other details.

Ardern, however, told her media pool early Wednesday that she has been firm and clear to Duterte about the issue but she said it seemed to be water off Duterte’s back.