Honorable Jesus Yabes, Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs,
His Excellency Giuseppe Pinto, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Hon. Senators and Members of House of Representatives,
Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. (Good evening to all of you.)
It is my great honor and pleasure to host this reception. This year marks the 81st birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. I am also pleased to meet all of you tonight, because this event is the beginning of bigger and better things to come during my tour of duty here in the Philippines.
My previous position was Director-General for the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. Therefore, I am fully aware of the strategic importance of the Philippines for Japan. Our two countries are enjoying successful Strategic Partnership. And our leaders, President Aquino and Prime Minister Abe, have had five meetings in just one and a half years. I myself witnessed how the friendship and mutual trust developed between the two leaders through these meetings.
This is the first year of commemoration of typhoon Yolanda. Japan, like the Philippines, is prone to natural disasters; Typhoon, volcano and earthquakes. Until the lives of the survivors have returned to normal, we will continue to work with the Philippine government and other partners for the rehabilitation of the areas hit by the typhoon. There is another typhoon, Typhoon Ruby, approaching the Philippines. I pray the Typhoon Ruby will not cause any serious damage to the country. But if unfortunately it does, we, the Government of Japan, spare no effort to assist you.
We applaud the Philippines' many remarkable achievements this year. One of them is the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Japan commits to help social and economic progress in Mindanao through the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development or J-BIRD.
Another significant achievement is the Philippine economy's rapid growth in recent years. More and more Japanese businesses are starting to see the potential of the Philippines as a trade and investment partner. Tonight, as a first attempt, several Japanese companies have setup their PR booths to introduce their products and services. Please feel their enthusiasm to expand their business in the Philippines and take a look at their booths.
Also, we encourage more people-to-people exchanges for mutual understanding between our nations.
I hope more Filipinos will visit Japan now using relaxed visa requirements.
In closing, I'd like to propose a toast to the continued good health of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and to the close friendship between Japan and the Philippines.
Kanpai! Mabuhay!
