11 February 2014 - As part of the Philippine Embassy’s economic diplomacy program, Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste María Aileen H. Bugarín and other Embassy officials attended last February 5 the formal inauguration of the 14.4 kilometer Liquiça – Maubara road section in Timor-Leste which was completed by R.D. Interior Junior Construction (RDIJ), a Filipino construction company.

This infrastructure project was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its Road Network Development Sector Project with the Timor-Leste Government.

The special ceremony was led by Timor-Leste Deputy Prime Minister Fernando Lasama de Araújo together with Minister of Public Works Gastão Francisco de Sousa and ADB Resident Representative for Timor-Leste Shane Rosenthal.

Other high-ranking Timorese officials also attended the event, namely, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment António da Conceição, and Secretary of State for the Promotion and Support of the Private Sector Veneranda Lemos.

At the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Bugarin had the chance to personally congratulate Mr. Ricardo D. Interior Jr., RDIJ General Manager, for its exemplary workmanship and also for sustainably completing the job on time.

Contemplating on the event, Ambassador Bugarin said, “I am pleased to note that the Philippines was able to support and complement the Timor-Leste Government’s major program of road rehabilitation, repair and improvement in order to enhance connectivity within the country and spur economic growth. May this infrastructure project provide an opportunity for deeper engagement in Timor-Leste’s development priorities of Philippine companies that can meet and comply with the procurement standards of international funding agencies such as the ADB.”

Established in 1981, RDIJ is one of the Philippines’ leading integrated construction services company. The Liquiça – Maubara road project was awarded to the company through competitive bidding.  END