Honorable Senator EDGARDO J. ANGARA
Philippine Senate
Honorable Congressman JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA
Honorable Governor BELLAFLOR J. ANGARA-CASTILLO
Provincial Government of Aurora
Honorable Mayor ARIEL S. BITONG
Municipality of Maria Aurora
Dr. MYRNA NICER
Chief of Hospital, Maria Aurora Community Hospital
Dr. LUISITO G. TEH
Provincial Health Officer II
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Afternoon!
First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your warm welcome. It is a great honor for me to have an opportunity to visit the Province of Aurora again on the occasion of the 400 years commemoration of Christianization and founding of historic town, the Municipality of Baler.
This is my second time to visit the Province of Aurora. In January 2008, I joined another turn-over ceremony in the Municipality of Baler for the Peoples Empowerment and Advancement Center for Employment, or PEACE that was constructed by the assistance of the Government of Japan. I am pleased to hear that many people take advantage of various skill trainings in that center.
This time, I have been invited by Honorable Senator Angara to join this turnover ceremony. The Government of Japan considers the health sector as one of the most significant fields of humanitarian assistance, because health related issues is a major challenge in the way of achieving economic development and meeting the basic human needs. In this context, it is inspiring that both Senator Angara and Governor Castillo have put primary importance on health care services as evident in various projects and legislation for the benefit of Aurora residents.
Now, the personnel of the Maria Aurora Hospital can utilize improved medical equipment and benefit from a sewage treatment facility and a powerhouse. I firmly believe that the provision of equipment and facilities to this hospital will contribute to the enhancement of health services here in the Municipality of Maria Aurora.
I appreciate the talented staff of the Provincial Government of Aurora for successfully completing this project as well as providing necessary assistance to sustain and maintain the equipment and facilities.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank Senator Angara for his great efforts in strengthening the bilateral relationship between Japan and the Philippines. When H.E. President Arroyo visited Japan last June, Senator Angara joined in the Philippine delegation and contributed to the successful visit. Prime Minister Aso and President Arroyo expressed the determination to further expand and strengthen bilateral relations to foster a strategic partnership for the future in the Joint Statement. We are grateful to Senator Angara, among others, for his consistent strong support for Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), which entered into force last December.
In closing, I sincerely hope that this project will contribute to the strategic partnership and deeper friendship between the Philippines and Japan.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines