Day: June 9, 2022

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ADB Approves $250 Million for Bangladesh Social Resilience Program

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (9 June 2022) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today approved a $250 million policy-based loan to support social protection reforms in Bangladesh designed to protect vulnerable population against socioeconomic challenges.

The loan will finance Subprogram 2 of the Strengthening Social Resilience Program and build on the first subprogram which implemented institutional and policy reforms that strengthened the inclusiveness and responsiveness of social protection in Bangladesh.

“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to strengthen social protection systems to help people cope and manage disasters and crises,” said ADB Principal Social Sector Specialist for South Asia Hiroko Uchimura-Shiroishi. “This subprogram continues ADB’s support to improve the coverage and efficiency of social protection programs in Bangladesh, build resilience of the disadvantaged, and support an inclusive recovery.”

Under the new program, ADB is supporting the government in strengthening reforms to improve social protection coverage and efficiency, deepen the financial inclusion of disadvantaged people, and strengthen the response to diversified protection needs.

In various stages of implementation, some specific reforms include better protection coverage of disadvantaged women and the urban poor. Subprogram 2 also helps to improve efficiency by digitalization and integration of systems as well as harmonization of government programs. Greater financial inclusion of the disadvantaged will be broadened by improving the usability of mobile financial services through the quick response (QR) code payment services, particularly in rural areas.

Mobile clinics help boost health provision to the urban poor, including the floating people in urban areas. This subprogram also supports a contributory protection scheme by focusing on an employment injury scheme. Most social protection programs in Bangladesh are funded by the government and target the poor and vulnerable. This contributory protection scheme will offer protection to a wider population and help augment government financing for social protection.

As of 2021, ADB’s cumulative assistance to Bangladesh since 1973 amounted to about $48 billion through loans, grants, and cofinancing. ADB’s active portfolio in the country stands at around $11 billion with 50 projects as of April 2022.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: Asian Development Bank

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STATEMENT: ON THE RETURN OF ILLEGAL CHINESE VESSELS IN JULIAN FELIPE REEF

MANILA, 09 June 2022 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) protested the return of over 100 Chinese vessels illegally operating in the waters in and around Julian Felipe Reef on 04 April 2022, barely a year after the same swarming incident was protested by the Philippine Government.

Julian Felipe Reef is a low tide elevation within the territorial sea of relevant high tide features in the Kalayaan Island Group, including Chigua Reef, over which the Republic of the Philippines has sovereignty. The lingering unauthorized presence of Chinese fishing and maritime vessels is not only illegal, but is also a source of instability in the region.

The persistent swarming of Chinese vessels is contrary to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award. It is also a violation of China’s commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in particular, the exercise of self-restraint pursuant to Paragraph 5 thereof.

The Philippines regrets this Chinese violation of international law days before the successful 08 April 2022 telesummit between President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to solve issues of mutual concern through peaceful dialogue, and exercise restraint in any and all endeavors relating to the South China Sea.

The Philippines calls on China to comply with its obligations under international law, cease and desist from displaying illegal and irresponsible behavior, avoid further escalating tensions at sea and immediately withdraw all of its vessels from Philippine maritime zones.

Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs

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DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE WENDY SHERMAN CALLS ON SECRETARY LOCSIN, PRESIDENT-ELECT MARCOS TO REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO PHILIPPINE-U.S. ALLIANCE AND A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS INDO-PACIFIC

MANILA- Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. received U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) today. In her farewell call to Secretary Locsin, Deputy Secretary Sherman personally thanked him for his significant contributions to the Philippine-United States alliance, especially in light of the restoration of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in July 2021. Secretary Locsin welcomed the United States’ reaffirmation of its commitment to the alliance. The Deputy Secretary said that the U.S. will help the Philippines meet its defense modernization goals and address the daunting regional and global challenges both countries face. Deputy Secretary Sherman likewise committed to support the Philippines’ economic recovery efforts, including its transition to clean energy and digitalization. The United States remains an important and strategic trading and investment partner of the Philippines. Both sides also agreed to engage constructively on protecting democracy and human rights at home and abroad. Secretary Locsin reiterated the Philippines’ invitation for the U.S. to support the three-year UN Joint Program on Human Rights (2021-2024), which demonstrates the highest level of the Philippines’ commitment to inclusive partnerships and continuing reforms in the areas of human rights, accountability and rule of law, and to investing in the capacity-strengthening of national institutions.

Prior to the call on the Secretary, Deputy Secretary Sherman also called on President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The Deputy Secretary is in the country to meet with both outgoing and incoming administrations to discuss concrete ways to further strengthen the relations amidst the Philippine Government transition.

Deputy Secretary Sherman is the highest ranking State Department official to visit the country since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Deputy Secretary is visiting the Philippines for the first time, as part of a series of visits to the region.

Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs

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PH CELEBRATES MILESTONES WITH BRUNEI IN MARITIME-THEMED NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 09 June 2022 – Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio led the commemoration of the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a diplomatic reception held at the Berkshire Hall of the Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club on 07 June 2022. The celebration highlighted milestones in Philippine-Brunei relations.

The Guest of Honor was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohammad Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II.

“Having arrived in Brunei Darussalam and presented my credentials to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah two weeks ago, it is my honor to host my first national day celebration this evening,” said Ambassador Tirol-Ignacio.

Milestones in economic and bilateral defense relations were highlighted by the Philippine Ambassador’s speech.

The diplomatic reception celebrated the maritime heritage of the Philippines. Ambassador Tirol-Ignacio stated that, as an archipelagic state, the Philippines is party to most international maritime agreements and strongly adheres to an international law-based regime in maritime governance.

An exhibit entitled “Pearl of the Orient: The Philippines in a Shell” displayed shell-based craft and jewelry, including the highly valued South Sea pearls. A cultural performance showcased a microcosm of Philippine dances inspired by water and sea, and life in the country’s coastal communities. The giveaway bags featured two of the world’s endangered species found in Philippine waters: the sea turtle (pawikan) and the whale shark (butanding). The theme reflected the Philippines’ commitment to marine conservation with the country recognized to be a global center for marine biodiversity. She said ‘Their beauty is a reminder of what we stand to lose if we do not address climate change, marine plastic pollution, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and other environmental threats to our oceans and seas.”

Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs