Ambassador Victor G. Garcia III presents his Letter of Credence to the
President of Belarus
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PH-024-09,13 February 2009—Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko congratulates non-resident
Philippine Ambassador to Belarus Victor G. Garcia III at the ceremonies on the presentation of credentials
at the Palace of the Republic in Minsk, Belarus on 19 January 2009. President Lukashenko noted the
dynamic development of cooperation between the Philippines and Belarus in the international arena.
Given that all the necessary conditions are now in place to positively develop bilateral cooperation with the
Philippines, the appointment of a new Philippine ambassador would give impetus to bilateral relations, he
added.
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RP Health Workers migration scheme lauded at Policy Advisory Council Meeting In
Oslo
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PR-054-09,13 February 2009 - The Philippine Embassy in Oslo, Norway reported to the Department of
Foreign Affairs on the outcome of the Global Policy Advisory Council on Health Workers Migration Meeting
held in Oslo on 3-4 February 2009, wherein the participants of the meeting expressed their admiration for the
Philippine scheme of migration movement, hailing it as a model worth emulating by both receiving and
sending countries of the world.
The Global Policy Advisory Council of the Health Worker Migration Initiative (HWMI) is a partnership between
the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Health Workforce Alliance, and Realizing Rights. It is
composed of Ministers of Health and Development from both source and destination countries, as well as
leading health, labor, and migration experts.
Philippine Ambassador to Norway Elizabeth P. Buensuceso was joined by Development Bank of the
Philippines Chairperson Patricia Sto. Tomas and Department of Health HRD Director Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo
in representing the Philippines at the meeting. Former Health Secretary Dr. Manuel Dayrit attended the
meeting in his capacity as HRD Director of the World Health Organization.
During the meeting, Dr. Ronquillo presented a paper which detailed the Philippine experience on health
workers migration management. Participants commented on the great effort expended by the Philippine
government to institutionalize structural and societal safeguards to ensure that health workers who decide to
migrate are adequately protected and cared for. The meeting expressed admiration at how the Philippines
has developed a cycle of management, from the initial stage of providing training and developing expertise in
the medical fields, to assistance before departure and while in the destination countries, until their return to
Philippine society where they are provided reintegration support such as capital and re-tooling skills.
Ambassador Buensuceso also underscored the adoption by the Philippine government of an aggressive
stance to protect the rights and promote the welfare of its migrant workers as a co-equal pillar of its foreign
policy.
The meeting also discussed the need to expedite action on the adoption of the WHO draft Code of Practice on
the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. The Code seeks to establish ethical norms in the
movement of health workers migration and ensures that both sending and host countries abide by these
generally agreed upon practices. Norway presented its draft strategy on medical workers giving emphasis on
its vision to become self-sufficient in supplying its own medical workers while taking into consideration the
arrival of foreign medical workers. Norway admitted to having shortages of about 40,000 workers and 10,000
nurses by 2030. END
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Philippines participates in Eclat de Mode
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PR-053-09, 13 February 2009 – Philippine Ambassador to France Rora Navarro Tolentino reported to the
Department of Foreign Affairs that seven (7) companies from the Philippines specializing in fashion
accessories participated in Eclat de Mode (Bijorhca) held in Paris on 30 January - 02 February 2009.
Bijorhca is an international trade show that focuses on the fashion side of jewelry. Held twice a year in Paris,
this prestigious event features the latest collections and trends in fashion and fine jewelries.
The Philippine exhibitors included Abeeba, ABS International Corp., Blue Planet, Inc., Cyprea International,
Inc., G Designare Mfg. Phils., Touchwood and Unijel International Inc. Most of the Philippine exhibitors were
Cebu-based companies. Cebu is often referred to as the fashion accessories capital of the Philippines. Fairs
and More, an affiliate of the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP), has been
organizing Philippine participation in Bijorcha for the last seven years.
During her visit to the Exhibition, Ambassador Tolentino was welcomed by Ms. Hawa Soumano of Reed
Exposition, organizer of Bijorhca, and Ms. Roselu Paloma of Fairs and More.
The Philippine display featured a wide range of product items – from necklaces, pendants, rings and
earrings, bracelets and bangles to shoes and bags. The products made use of exotic materials like wood,
coco, shells, and mother of pearl. Innovative materials like felt and dried leaves were also utilized.
Ambassador Tolentino was glad to note that the Philippine stand is visited by many buyers. She said that the
fine craftsmanship and stylish designs of the Philippine-made fashion accessories attract foreign buyers.
END
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Ambassador Pedro O. Chan presents his Letter of Credence to Turkish President
Abdullah Gul in Ankara
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PR-051-09, 12 February 2009 – Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Pedro O. Chan presented his Letter of
Credence to President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gul in ceremonies held on 09 February 2009 at the
Presidential Palace in Cankaya, Ankara.
Also in attendance were Deputy Undersecretary Unal Cevikoz and Chief of Protocol of the Turkish Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador was accompanied by Minister and Consul General Alfonso A. Ver, Third
Secretary and Vice Consul Leilani S. Feliciano, and Attache and Protocol Officer Segundo C. Dasmariñas.
The ceremony commenced with arrival honors for the Ambassador by a detachment of the President’s honor
guard, followed by a perfect rendition of the Philippine national anthem, and the Turkish anthem, by the honor
guard band. Following the brief presentation of the Letter of Credence/Recall (of the predecessor) to
President Gul, Ambassador Chan and the President had a private tete-a-tete for about 20 minutes.
During their conversation, Ambassador Chan conveyed the warm greetings of President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo and the Filipino people. The Ambassador expressed the hope that bilateral ties between the
Philippines and Turkey would continue to flourish especially their trade which has remained in favor of the
Philippines for the past three years. Turkey and the Philippines are active in fostering global understanding
among peoples of different faiths and culture through Turkey’s Alliance for Civilizations and the Philippines’
Interfaith Dialogue initiatives.
This year marks the special milestone in Philippine-Turkish relations as they celebrate the 60th anniversary
of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship on 13 June 1949. To
mark this momentous occasion, both countries will be undertaking several activities throughout the year,
including an official visit to Turkey next month by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo.
Ambassador Chan had served as Consul General to Milan, Italy, before assuming his new posting. He also
served posthumously as Minister and Consul General in the Philippine Embassies in Moscow, Ottawa and
Stockholm. He was Consul in Honolulu and Los Angeles, and was Executive Director of the Office of the
Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs in the Department of Foreign Affairs.END
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