Embassy of the Philippines, Yangon, Myanmar
March 17, 2017
Ambassador Alex G. Chua has been serving as the Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar since February 22, 2013.
Through his leadership, the Embassy secured a visa-free agreement with the host nation in 2013 allowing Filipinos to stay in Myanmar for up to 14 days without the need for a visa.
Last year, in collaboration with the Filipino community, a number of commemorative activities were held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Myanmar. These included a forum on women, distribution of Rizal books to libraries in Yangon, an education forum, and a fashion show highlighting the creations of well-known designers from both countries.
Also, an Executive Program on Cultural Cooperation was signed between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines and the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar. The said program provides direction to the 1998 Agreement on Cultural Cooperation through the identification of specific cultural exchanges, literature, and cooperation in the fields of archives, architecture, film and television that will be implemented in three years.
Furthermore, the Embassy spearheaded the signing of the first twinning agreement between the Philippines and Myanmar – the sister city agreement between Quezon City and the Yangon Region. Also, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and the Myanmar Retailer’s Association (MRA) to facilitate stronger business relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Chua said that the introductory visit of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to Myanmar aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and discussions will focus on improving trade and investment relations.
With the Philippines as the ASEAN Chair this year in conjunction with the 50th founding anniversary of the regional bloc, Ambassador Chua emphasized that the President’s visit symbolizes the Philippines’ commitment to the shared aspirations and values of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Ambassador added that the Filipino community in Myanmar, as well as the Philippine Embassy officers and staff, are very eager and excited to meet President Duterte who is also very popular among the common people in Myanmar.
He shared that upon the Embassy’s announcement of the Filipino community meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, more than 200 Filipinos based in Yangon immediately registered their participation to the upcoming event. They will be traveling five hours from Yangon to the administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw to personally see President Duterte.
Ambassador Chua said that President Duterte won in the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) in Myanmar, garnering 56% of the votes in the May 2016 elections.
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