Prince of Malta to visit projects in Yolanda-struck areas

MANILA, Philippines - The Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta Fra' Matthew Festing is set to visit ongoing shelter projects of Malta in Yolanda-struck areas during his week-long visit in the Philippines.

Fra' Festing will arrive on Sunday and will leave on March 7, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

The Prince of Malta meet with President Benigno Aquino III to discuss bilateral relations. He will then see Vice President Jejomar Binay, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin after talking with Aquino.

Fra' Festing will fly to Eastern Sama to hand over the symbolic key for Malta's donation of core shelters in the area.

So far, 540 houses have been finished, 64 are still ongoing and 96 more are to be constructed. The project is expected to be completed in May.

Fra' Festing will also visit a project in Basey, Samar where Malta donated 350 core shelters.

His week-long official visit marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the domestic relations between the Philippines and Malta, according to Coloma.