06 January 2016 – On behalf of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario conferred the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Grand Cross, Gold Distinction (Datu, Katangiang Ginto) on outgoing Australian Ambassador William Thomas Ross Tweddell at the Department of Foreign Affairs on January 05, 2016. The citation, signed by President Aquino, recognized Ambassador Tweddell’s “outstanding and commendable efforts towards bringing the diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Commonwealth of Australia closer and stronger.”

Ambassador Tweddell has served actively for four years in the Philippines. During his tour of duty, the Ambassador has played a significant role in further developing bilateral relations between the Philippines and Australia.  He was instrumental in the finalization and signing of the Joint Declaration on the Philippines-Australia Comprehensive Partnership in 2015 and the Air Services Agreement in 2012. Ambassador Tweddell facilitated the Australian Government’s humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake in Central Visayas and Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013, and Typhoon Glenda and Ruby in 2014. He expedited the delivery of Australia’s development assistance programs in the Philippines in the fields of education, natural disasters and poverty reduction, and significantly contributed to the development of conflict affected areas in Mindanao, specifically in the Mindanao Peace Process. He also contributed towards the modernization of the Philippine Navy by facilitating the donation of landing craft heavy (LCH) ships in 2015.

Senior Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Australian Embassy were present at the conferment ceremony. The ceremony was also graced by DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman and TESDA Director General Irene Isaac. END