18 July 2014 – Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro presented her credentials as Non-resident Ambassador to the Principality of Monaco to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II in official ceremonies on July 17 at the Palais de Monaco.  Ambassador Lazaro was accompanied at the event by Philippine Honorary Consul in Monaco Patricia Zobel de Ayala.

During the private audience with the Prince, Ambassador Lazaro conveyed the greetings of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Filipino people.  She thanked His Serene Highness for the warm hospitality accorded to Filipinos who have made Monaco their second home. 

Ambassador Lazaro also expressed to the Prince the great appreciation of the Filipino people for the generous assistance extended by Monaco to the victims of the super-typhoon that hit the country in November last year. Following the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, the Prince’s Government allocated urgent humanitarian aid amounting to €150,000 to support the victims via two projects to prevent epidemics and build shelters.

The Monegasque Red Cross, of which Prince Albert is the President, also launched an appeal for donations. It has received more than €357,450 between November 2013 and April 2014. In proportion to its size, the Principality of Monaco is considered one of the most generous countries to the International Red Cross for this catastrophe. The audience was also an opportunity for Ambassador Lazaro to update Prince Albert II on the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the typhoon-affected areas.

Ambassador Lazaro likewise informed the Prince of the positive economic developments in the Philippines, including that of renewed investor confidence brought largely by the Aquino administration’s advances in good governance. 

Ambassador Lazaro also conveyed to Prince Albert II that the Philippines would be honored to welcome him again to the Philippines in the near future. Prince Albert II first made an official visit to the Philippines in 1999.  END