YOUR EXCELLENCY, AMBASSADOR ROB CAREY MOORE-JONES,
EXCELLENCIES AND MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS,
COLLEAGUES IN GOVERNMENT,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
FRIENDS,

I AM HONORED TO HOST THIS FAREWELL LUNCHEON FOR AMBASSADOR ROB MOORE-JONES WHOSE TOUR OF DUTY SAW THE FURTHER ENRICHMENT OF THE CLOSE TIES AND WARM FRIENDSHIP THAT NEW ZEALAND AND THE PHILIPPINES HAVE ENJOYED FOR THE PAST FORTY YEARS.

AMBASSADOR MOORE-JONES ASUMED HIS POST IN MANILA IN JUNE 2004.  THE BRIEF PERIOD OF HIS STAY COINCIDED WITH VARIOUS CHALLENGES AND CRISIS IN OUR COUNTRY CHARACTERIZED BY THREATS TO SECURITY AND TERRORISM, FISCAL CRISIS AND INTENSE POLITICAL CONFRONTATIONS.  WE ARE HAPPY TO NOTE THAT THE COUNTRY IS NOW OVERCOMING THE MORE CRUCIAL PART OF THESE CHALLENGES.  THE TERRORISTS THREATS ARE NOW CONTAINED THANKS TO THE TIMELY AND MEANINGFUL MEASURES WHICH HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED WITH THE HELP OF OUR BILATERAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING NEW ZEALAND.

AT LAST FRIDAY’S PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT FORUM IN TAGAYTAY, OUR DONOR PARTNERS AGAIN INCLUDING NEW ZEALAND, AFFIRMED THAT FISCAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM MEASURES HAVE TAKEN FIRM ROOTS AND FISCAL BALANCE WILL LIKELY BE ACHIEVED BY THE YEAR 2008.

THE POLITICAL CONFRONTATION ALSO PROMISES ROOM FOR DRAWING CLOSER SUPPORT AND CONVERGENCE TO THE ADMINISTRATION’S GOAL OF ADDRESSING THE MORE CRUCIAL ISSUES OF PEACE PROCESS ESPECIALLY IN MINDANAO BY CONSOLIDATING IT WITH ECONOMIC DEVELEOPMENT, POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND EMPLOYMENT CREATION MEASURES THRU PUMP PRIMING AND EXPANDED INFRASTRUCTURAL PROGRAMS.

IN TAKING HIS LEAVE OF OUR COUNTRY, WE HOPE AMB. MOORE-JONES WILL CARRY A STRONG AND DIFFERENT, A MORE POSITIVE IMPRESSION.

WE HAVE ALSO WITNESSED DURING HIS TERM HOW THE ELEMENTS OF THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND NEW ZEALAND TURNED TO A MORE MEANINGFUL LEVEL HIGHLIGHTED BY EXCHANGES OF HIGH-LEVEL VISITS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, THE LAST AND MOST SIGNIFICANT OF WHICH IS THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE PHILIPINES OF PRIME MINISTER HELEN CLARK ON 13-16 MARCH 2006.

PRIME MINISTER CLARK’S VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES HIGHLIGHTED THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PHILIPPINES-NEW ZEALAND RELATIONS.  WHILE THE VISIT IN ITSELF WAS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE FOUR DECADES OF PHILIPPINES-NEW ZEALAND RELATIONS, IT WAS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH SIDES TO, YET AGAIN, DEEPEN THEIR RELATIONS AND FURTHER WIDEN THE AREAS OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS.  COOPERATION IN COUNTER-TERRORISM AND INTERFAITH INITIATIVES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND TRADE HAVE BEEN THE FOCUS OF THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO AND PRIME MINISTER CLARK.

I WISH TO ASSURE AMBASSADOR MOORE-JONES OF THE PHILIPPINES’ COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUSLY COOPERATE WITH NEW ZEALAND TO PURSUE THE INITIATIVES DISCUSSED DURING THE VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER CLARK.

I ALSO WISH TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT APPRECIATION FOR THE STEADFAST SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE THAT NEW ZEALAND CONTINUES TO EXTEND TO THE PHILIPPINES.  RECENTLY, WE FELT NEW ZEALAND;S CONCERN AND SYMPATHY FOR THE FILIPINO PEOPLE WITH ITS GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE REHABILITATION EFFORTS AND RESCUE OPERATIONS IN GUINSAUGON, LEYTE.  MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, NEW ZEALAND’S OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (ODA) AMOUNTING TO US$4 MILLION THIS YEAR HAS HELPED PROJECTS IN GOVERNANCE TRAINING AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TAKE OFF.  THE AID PACKAGE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MINDANAO IS A WELCOME ADDITION TO NEW ZEALAND’S STRATEGIC ODA PRIORITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES THIS YEAR.

AS HIS TOUR OF DUTY DRAWS TO A CLOSE, I AM PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TENDER FOR HIM THIS MODEST LUNCH, AND AMONG HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS AS WITNESSES, I WISH TO OPENLY THANK HIM ON BEHALF OF THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE, FOR BEING TRUE AND TESETED FRIEND OF THE PHILIPPINES.

MAY I INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME IN A TOAST TO HONOR AMBASSADOR MOORE-JONES.  TO HIS CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL HIS ENDEAVORS AND TO THE FORTY YEARS OF GOOD BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND NEW ZEALAND. END