27 August 2004 – Secretary Alberto G. Romulo received the report of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei on the Embassy’s work plans to implement the 10 point agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“Ambassador Virginia Benavidez reported to me that that Embassy could particularly contribute to President Arroyo’s vision of creating six million jobs thorough its Livelihood Training and Reintegration Preparedness Program, the establishment of a Philippines-Brunei Business Council, the establishment of direct shipping links and direct flights to Mindanao and Cebu, and the continued promotion of Philippine products and services”, according to Secretary Romulo. He explained further that, “the Embassy maintains strong networks with Filipino organizations and individuals and conducts other fund raising activities to help build classrooms, provide classroom furniture, books and scholarship for the Filipino youth”.

Ambassador Benavidez also reported that the intensified Pag-Ibig and SSS membership drive helps to promote housing bonds (investment schemes) and acquisition of properties outside Metro Manila, aimed at decongesting the heavily populated metropolis. The Ambassador also cited the Embassy’s support in the Government’s efforts to achieve a just end to the peace process in Mindanao, continuing to work for Brunei’s support for the Philippine initiatives in the Organization of Islamic Conference as well as promote the Educational and Training Program for the Madrasah teachers and principals that is currently undertaken by the Sultanate of Brunei, aimed at educating students who will eventually contribute to socio-economic development in Muslim communities in Mindanao.

The Embassy officers prepared a matrix that illustrated relationship of the Embassy’s plans and projects with the 10 point agenda of President Arroyo and according to Ambassador Benavidez the consolidated matrix will serve as the Philippine Embassy’s plan of action for the next several months.

Prior to her posting in Brunei Darussalam, Ambassador Benavidez was the Assistant Secretary for the Office of ASEAN Affairs and was the head of Secretariat during the 1999 ASEAN Summit held in Manila. END