Secretary Blas Ople welcomed the visit of legislators and labor officials from the Republic of Mongolia today, in connection with a study tour on the Philippine labor migration program. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Nordic Development Fund and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) assisted the delegation’s visit.

The Secretary met with the delegation headed by Member of Parliament A. Turtogtokh. Also present were Representatives N. Sodnomdorj and B. Erdenebilegt, Ms. Demchigsuren Ganchimeg of the Mongolian Cabinet Secretariat, Director Nyam Ayush and Ms. Bolomaa of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Labor.

Ms. Petronila P. Garcia of the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Deputy Administrator Angeles Wong-Garcia were also present. Mr. Ferdinand Victoria of OUMWA delivered the briefing on the DFA assistance program for Filipinos overseas.

Mr. Turtogtokh expressed his appreciation on the Philippine government’s willingness to share its experience on labor migration management. He mentioned that labor migration management is a relatively new phenomenon in Mongolia as its labor migration law was passed in 2001.

“Your visit will help strengthen our bilateral relations further and I look forward to more exchanges”, Secretary Ople said to the delegates.

The Secretary also mentioned that the Philippines intends to send a delegation to Ulaanbataar for the next meeting of the Conference of Newly Restored Democracies from September 8 to 11, 2003. The Conference was founded in Manila during the time of then President Corazon Aquino with only 14 countries attending. The membership has since grown to a hundred.

“We encourage more parliamentary exchanges between the Philippines and Mongolia”, Secretary Ople said.