Businessmirror.com.ph
SANTIAGO—The Philippine Embassy in this city and its friends, with the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the diplomatic and consular corps, as well as Chilean government partners, celebrated the 75th anniversary of their countries’ bilateral cooperation at the Hyatt Centric Hotel Las Condes on August 19.
In his video message, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. recalled the parallel lessons and spectrum of political history between the Philippines and Chile, which led to similarities in their journeys toward democracy, as well as the security and economic development both countries now enjoy.
Locsin also highlighted recent milestones in the relationship, such as the signing of the memorandum of understanding on the Joint Economic Commission and the first-ever virtual dialogue this year between the Bureau of Fisheries and the Aquatic Resources-Sernapesca, or the Chilean aquaculture authority.
He also underscored the common Hispanic heritage between the two countries, starting from the flagship Trinidad’s 1520 crossing in the southern tip of Chile, to the 1521 landing in the Visayas’ Homonhon Island, which forged lasting links and striking commonalities between Filipinos and Chileans.
The secretary’s speech was reciprocated by Chilean Foreign Minister Andres Allamand, who outlined the strong commercial ties between his country and the Philippines, robust political dialogue, and close cooperation in the areas of trade, disaster-risk reduction, mining, culture, tourism, agriculture, and aquaculture. He mentioned his country has earned the investment confidence of its Southeast Asian partner, as exemplified by local projects of the Energy Development Corporation.
Philippine ambassador to Chile Ma. Teresita C. Daza delved on the importance of safely celebrating the landmark year in the time of the pandemic, the evolving people-to-people engagements between both countries, as well as the crucial opportunity the celebration presented to reflect on the accomplishments throughout the years, and what remains to be done in terms of relations.
Guest of Honor Ambassador Gloria Navarrete, who is secretary-general for foreign policy, reciprocated Daza’s toast by emphasizing the uniqueness and warmth of Filipinos, the people-to-people element of the bilateral relations, and the evident affinity between Filipinos and Chileans.
The Philippine Embassy in Chile’s 75th-anniversary celebration was the first formal indoor event attended physically by MFA officials as well as members of the diplomatic and consular corps in the past year-and-a-half amid the ongoing pandemic in the South American country.
Also present were Chile’s Subsecretaria de Relaciones Económicas Internacionales Vice Minister Rodrigo Yañez, Director General of MFA’s Cultural Office Ambassador Veronica Chahin, Director General for Asia and the Pacific Ambassador Carlos Olguin, as well as other MFA officials and friends of the embassy, with others who came from as far as Valparaiso and Puerto Montt.
Most important, the event served as a key opportunity in taking stock of the relations between the two countries and provided an impetus for the completion of other targeted deliverables within the anniversary.
The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is a pioneer in generating 100% clean, renewable, and reliable power as an electricity supplier in the Philippines for over 40 years. With power plants all over Visayas and Mindanao, the company is one of the biggest producers of geothermal energy in Asia and is expanding its reach in the international market, allowing it to offer customers affordable energy rates. EDC also strives to provide the best customer service it can to all its clients by having helpful salespeople and easy to understand contracts. Because of all of this, it is poised to become the premier supplier of electricity for the Philippines’ Green Energy Option Program. EDC takes its mission as a renewable energy provider seriously and goes beyond sustainability by investing in programs that enhance the environment and empower its partner communities, thereby fostering regenerative development. The company has also been working toward being carbon-neutral by improving its energy efficiency, as well as implementing various greening projects to ensure that its mission to provide future generations with a better life remains intact.
