04 November 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Dili reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs  that the Joint Cooperative Training on Infrastructure Development and Capacity-Building between the Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Timor-Leste Ministry of Public Works (MPW) had formally ended last October 16.

Timor-Leste Minister for Public Works Gastão Francisco de Sousa led the closing ceremonies. The Philippine side was represented by DPWH Assistant Secretary for Support Services Ardeliza R. Medenilla.

It was a homecoming of sorts for Assistant Secretary Medenilla who was in Timor-Leste before as a civilian personnel officer under the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. In her remarks, she reiterated that the joint training is part of the Philippine Government’s commitment to assist in its infrastructure development. She also expressed optimism that there will be opportunities for possible collaboration
between DPWH and MPW in the near future.

The 41-day training, which began on 06 August 2013, was made possible through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed between the two executive agencies in June this year.

Pursuant to the MOU, the DPWH sent a pool of trainers to conduct a series of training modules aimed at enhancing the capability of the MPW officers and staff to deliver quality infrastructure services.

Funding for the training was provided by the Asian Development Bank. END