24 April 2006 – Philippine Ambassador to Canberra Cristina Ortega and Chief Minister Clare Martin of Darwin have underscored the natural alliance between the Philippines and the Northern Territory, Australia as a vital factor in the further promotion of bilateral trade and tourism exchanges.

In her report to the Department of Foreign Affairs on the results of her visit to Darwin on 6 and 7 April 2006, Ambassador Ortega said “Chief Minister Martin and I concur that these  ties are geographic and strategic” for the economic growth of the Philippines and the Northern Territory.

The Ambassador explained that, “The Northern Territory became a Development Partner of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines- East Asia Growth Area) in September 2005. At the First Ministerial Meeting of the BIMP-EAGA-NT also in September last year, Minister Martin proposed cooperation in education, trade and business. The Philippines, meantime, batted for an improvement of sea and air linkages to spur tourism and trade.”

Records of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra showed that the Northern Territory's gross state product in 2003-2004 was A$9.2 billion and is expected to grow well above the national average growth of 3.8% annually. Apart from trade and tourism, there is great potential for cooperation in primary industries notably in cattle trade, mining and skilled migration.

Ambassador Ortega informed Minister Martin that even before the establishment of formal ties between the Philippines and Australia in 1946, there have been numerous instances of interaction between the Northern Territory southern Philippines, particularly Mindanao.   The Ambassador was referring to the Filipino divers who contributed to the development of the pearl industries in the northern part of Australia, including the Northern Territory during the 1800s and early 1900s.

At a visit to Charles Darwin University, the Ambassador had an opportunity to meet with some of the descendants of these pearl divers from Manila who married aboriginal women. "Although we are not Filipinos, we eat adobo and dinuguan," the descendants proudly told the Ambassador. "You definitely have ties with the Philippines," Ambassador Ortega replied as she encouraged them to visit the Philippines.

The presence of Filipino migrant workers in the Northern Territory is another important aspect of the ties between the Philippines and the Northern Territory, the Ambassador said, adding that Northern Territory officials have indicated their preference for Filipino workers whom employers and business people describe as skilled, hardworking and adaptable. (Please refer to the accompanying photo release on this subject matter.) END