17 April 2015 – Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs (ASPAC) Minda Calaguian-Cruz visited Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea from March 18 to 20 on a scoping mission Accompanying Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz was ASPAC Acting Director Jason Jovencio A. Anasarias.
On March 19, Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz met with PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato and Foreign Secretary William Dihm at the Minister’s Office in the Department of Foreign Affairs. The two officials recalled the cordial bilateral meeting between President Benigno S. Aquino III and PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on the sidelines of the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing, China on 10 November 2014.
Reflecting on the 40 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and PNG, and on the vibrant people-to-people links that have complemented the diplomatic relationship, both Ms. Calaguian-Cruz and Minister Pato agreed that it was time to deepen and strengthen the bilateral relationship by signing several proposed agreements that would formalize the existing state of affairs between their two countries.
Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz then met with PNG Agriculture and Livestock Minister Tommy Tomscoll at the PNG Parliament House. Minister Tomscoll gave an overview of the PNG agriculture sector, particularly his government’s efforts to develop the sector in terms of market access for PNG products, training programs for local farmers, and investments and research and development in the local rice industry. Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz told expressed the Philippines’ interest in participating in the development of PNG agriculture through the proposed Agricultural Cooperation Agreement between the two countries and said that the Philippines stands ready to further strengthen agricultural cooperation through investments, particularly in the PNG rice industry.
After a lunch hosted by Foreign Secretary William Dihm, Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz met with Mr. John Kasu, Managing Director of the PNG National Fisheries Authority. Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz noted the strong and long standing cooperation between the fisheries authorities of both countries and the significant Philippine investments in the local fisheries industry. Both Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz and Mr. Kasu agreed that this cooperation between the Philippines and PNG would stand them in good stead as they faced common challenges in the fishing industry.
After meetings with PNG government officials, Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz proceeded to the Philippine Ambassador’s residence where she met with Mr. Pedro C. Celso, Executive Vice-President of RD Tuna Canners Ltd., Mr. Kieran Nash, Chief Executive Officer of Kenmore Group of Companies, Ms. Joan Ala of Associated Builders and Contractors Ltd., and with the officers of the Filipino Association in Papua New Guinea (FAPNG) led by their President, Mr. Roel Sta. Cruz. During these meetings, Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz gave a briefing on what was discussed with PNG government officials and how these officials acknowledged the positive contributions of Filipino companies and Filipino workers in the development of PNG. They also discussed the current developments in the Philippines.
Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz likewise met PNG Finance Minister James Marape, PNG Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Gibbs Salika, and Chief Customs Commissioner Rey Paul over dinner hosted by Philippine Ambassador Bienvenido V. Tejano at the Ambassador’s Residence.
On March 20, before departing for Manila, Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz and Mr. Anasarias visited the Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI) on Taurama Road where they were toured around the campus by school administrators and met heads of departments, Filipino instructors, and Filipino nuns. They were also fortunate to witness a traditional ceremony in celebration of the anniversary of arrival in PNG of DBTI-PNG’s Filipino rector, Fr. Louie Castañeda. END