MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday conferred the Order of Sikatuna on outgoing ambassadors of New Zealand and Australia in recognition of their exemplary contributions to further strengthen diplomatic relations between their respective countries and the Philippines.
The envoys were also cited for promoting programs that help uplift the lives of Filipinos and their respective peoples. During his farewell call on the President at the Music Room of the Malacañang, New Zealand Ambassador Andrew Matheson was awarded the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Grand Cross) for his contributions in the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Labor Cooperation in 2008, MOA on Environment Cooperation in 2009, and the Exchange of Notes on the Temporary Employment of Nurses, Farm Managers and Engineering Professionals, also in 2009.
Ambassador Matheson also played an important role in shaping the development cooperation program between the Philippines and New Zealand through the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAid).
During the event, the New Zealand envoy was accompanied by Andy White, deputy head of mission; Heather Garven, consul and administration; and Nathaniel Mackay, Immigration Branch Manager.
Present on the Philippine side were Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario and presidential protocol chief Miguel Perez-Rubio.
Aquino also awarded the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Grand Cross, Gold Distinction) to outgoing Australian Ambassador Rod Smith for his efforts in strengthening bilateral relations.
Smith spearheaded high-level meetings such as the bilateral senior officials and ministerial meetings; inaugural meetings of agricultural forum; mining officials’ meetings; and climate change consultations.
The Australian envoy was cited for the role he played in shaping the Development Cooperation Program between the Philippines and his country, making the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) the largest development partner of the Philippines for grants in 2010.
Smith was accompanied by Andrew Byrne, deputy head of mission; Titon Mitra, AusAID minister counselor; Group Captain Craig White, defense attaché; and Ross Bray, senior trade and investment commissioner of the Australian Trade Commission.
Earlier, United Kingdom Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Jeremy Browne MP also called on the President. British Ambassador Stephen Lillie accompanied Browne.
He returned to the country for the second time yesterday to affirm the strong relationship between the Philippines and the UK and express Britain’s continuing support for Philippine development and reforms.
He has held various positions in the Liberal Democrat Party, including as spokesman on foreign affairs and recently as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury.
Browne has also been a member of the cross-party Home Affairs Committee.