3 July 2013 – Philippine Ambassador to Austria Lourdes O. Yparraguirre visited Innsbruck from June 17 to 19, where she had meetings with Mayor of Innsbruck Mag. Christine Oppitz-Plörer and Governor of Tirol Günther Platter. 

The Ambassador also met with Dr. Andreas Altmann of the Management Center Innsbruck and members of the Filipino community in Tirol.

During her separate calls on the Governor of Tirol and the Mayor of Innsbruck, Ambassador Yparraguirre gave updates on the performance of the Philippine economy, particularly the impressive improvements in the business and investment climate in the Philippines.  She also expressed hope that more Austrian companies would engage in trading and investment activities in the Philippines in addition to the top Austrian firms which have already established a presence in the country.  Given the strengths of Innsbruck as a university town and as a top Austrian tourist destination, the discussions focused on how to further pursue cooperation in the fields of tourism and education.

At present, the Government of the State of Tirol is allotting funds to support one scholar every year to study Tourism at the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI).  In May 2013, it also donated 500,000 pesos to Buyong Elementary School in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu for the installation of classroom roofs. 

Governor Platter inquired about the presence of several SOS Children’s Villages in the Philippines and expressed his interest in providing more assistance to these children’s shelters.  At the moment, there are villages in Bataan, Manila, Cebu, Batangas, Davao, Iloilo, and Western Samar.  Governor Platter said that he will explore the possibility of visiting the Philippines next year, and that such an occasion would be appropriate for handing over a donation to at least one SOS village in the country. 

Both Governor Platter and Mayor Oppitz-Plörer cited the good image of Filipinos in Tirol and expressed appreciation for the professionalism of Filipino nurses working in Austria’s health care system.  Mayor Oppitz-Plörer, who is also supervising Innsbruck’s elderly homes as part of her official functions, said that she hopes that more Filipino nurses and caregivers would be able to work in Austria in the future. END