Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, 08 March 2005 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo today called on His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, during which both officials expressed their commitment to build stronger ties between the two countries and to ensure the welfare and protection of 18,000 Filipinos in the Sultanate.

During their dialogue, the Secretary conveyed to Sultan Bolkiah the personal greetings of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as well as the appreciation of the Philippine government for the fair and humane treatment of Filipinos residing and working in Brunei.

Sultan Bolkiah asked the Secretary to convey his best wishes to the President.

“I was deeply touched by the admiration with which His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah spoke of Filipinos in his country. He acknowledged the significant role and contributions of Filipinos to Brunei’s economic development,” said the Secretary.

“The Philippine government is also grateful for the genuine concern he has shown for the continued welfare and well-being of our 18,000 nationals in Brunei,” he added.

Brunei’s continued support for the Philippines’ peace and development efforts in Mindanao was also discussed during the meeting.

 “I thanked Sultan Bolkiah for Brunei’s commitment to remain as our partner in the search for peace in Southern Philippines. We are appreciative of Brunei’s sending of a 10-man contingent to the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao as well as its vital contribution to that province’s socio-economic development through the Madrasah educational and training program,” the Secretary said.

“With an increase in the number of Madrasah scholars from the Philippines, we can create a critical mass of Madrasah administrators and teachers to complement our development efforts in Mindanao,” he said.

Their discussions also focused on the need to revitalize BIMP-EAGA, primarily through economic activities to be led by the private sector in the sub-region.

Secretary Romulo said that, in working for the revival of this sub-region, the BIMP-EAGA partners can harness the resources and development potential of Southern Philippines and the northern regions of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia as engines of economic growth.

“A revitalized BIMP-EAGA will translate into more trade and investment opportunities as well as jobs for the people living in these areas. We look forward to Brunei’s continued active involvement in BIMP-EAGA, especially in tourism, shipping and air linkages,” the Secretary said. END.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

/jay