Noy, British leader to discuss Yolanda reconstruction program

MANILA, Philippines - Visiting British Foreign Secretary William Hague will discuss with President Aquino and other Filipino officials the United Kingdom’s participation in the reconstruction program for Typhoon Yolanda-affected communities and its role in the implementation of the Mindanao peace agreement when they meet today.

Hague is on a one-day visit upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

He is the highest incumbent British official to visit the country in the last 25 years.

After a call on Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay, Hague will hold a bilateral meeting with Del Rosario, who is hosting lunch in his honor.

The UK is among the biggest donors of humanitarian aid and relief goods to Yolanda victims.

The British public raised a sizable amount of assistance upon appeal of the UK Disasters Emergency Committee, a group of 14 leading aid charities.

Other topics to be discussed with Hague are extradition and mutual legal assistance, combat against transnational crimes and expanding cooperation in trade, investments and tourism, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Hague will also meet prominent Filipino businessmen to exchange views on how to further expand business partnerships between Philippine and British companies.

Hague has chosen Manila as venue to deliver a speech on “United Kingdom and the Asian Century,” unveiling the UK’s foreign policy directions in the region.

The DFA said the choice of Manila is significant because it is a major foreign policy speech on Asia.

Government officials including members of Congress, the diplomatic corps, academe and civil society have been invited to attend the event, in tandem with the British Food Month organized by the British embassy and its partners.

Philippines-UK relations were established on July 4, 1946. Total trade between the two countries amounted to $928 million in 2012, of which $657 million worth of products were exported by the Philippines to the UK. The Philippines enjoys a favorable balance of trade with the UK.

An estimated 200,000 Filipinos are living and working in the UK; 70 percent are in health and care-giving professions, IT and engineering, about 20 percent second-generation Filipinos, while 10 percent are in domestic services.

Japan renewed its commitment to continue and strengthen its support to consolidate the peace in Mindanao.