Australia pledges A$89.9-M dev’t aid to PH
Visiting Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that Australia would provide 89.9 million Australian dollars in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines to support economic, education, and Mindanao peace programs.
The ODA, covering the period 2023-2024, would also support inclusive economic growth, training and scholarships, and disaster and climate resilience.
The Australian official made the announcement in a joint press statement issued after her meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Thursday, May 18.
Wong is in Manila from May 16 to 19 following an invitation from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to assess the current state of the Philippines’ and Australia’s bilateral relations.
The ODA came on top of the existing 10.95 million Australian dollars commitment by Australia to support the Philippines in establishing a “new immunization information system and a strengthened laboratory network and surveillance system” to address the disruptions to routine immunization during the pandemic.
During the meeting, the two officials also reaffirmed their “mutual commitment” to supporting the Philippines’ 2027-2028 candidature and Australia’s 2029-2030 candidature for the United Nations Security Council.
Furthermore, Manalo and Wong agreed to enhance trade and investment cooperation. Such cooperation could also include working together on critical minerals and exploring opportunities to improve two-way tourism.
They likewise discussed how to further strengthen the two countries’ people-to-people connections through the Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement being negotiated.
The two would meet again to convene the 6th Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting (PAMM) in Australia later this year.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and Australia are expected to conduct joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea as Canberra is committed to its “long-standing presence” in the high seas.
Wong said Australia is open to cooperate with its partners in the Indo-Pacific “to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight” amid China’s aggression in the South China Sea, which other countries see as a threat to the peace and stability.
Wong said Australia “wants to keep working with the Philippines” with regard to joint maritime patrols.
“The Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, in his visit here in February, spoke about the importance of increased cooperation. including increased combined maritime activity such as joint patrols,” she said in a press conference in Manila.
“Our departments are discussing the best pathway to take this forward,” she added.
Wong bared her country’s plans for further joint training activities.
“And as we speak, our defense forces are conducting a joint military exercise called ‘Kasangga’ where we are learning from you, and you are learning from us,” she said. (with a report from Joseph Pedrajas)