TWO foreign ambassadors have pledged their support and assistance to the disaster management and peace and order initiatives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, including its anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said the ambassadors of France and Qatar express their countries’ willingness to support the national government’s high impact programs which are directly advantageous to the people.
“I am very pleased that many countries have come forward to help the Philippines realize the much-needed change and reforms in our country. This manifestation of support strengthens our resolve to carry on with our mandate of ridding this country of illegal drugs with stronger passion and commitment,” he said.
French Ambassador Thierry Mathou said the French government’s proposal is to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to assist the Philippine government on disaster risk management, as well as in the improvement and training of barangay volunteers for the Masa-Masid project which can be tapped in the illegal drugs clean-up drive, street beautification and segregation of waste materials.
Mathou said the French government is willing to extend technical and financial assistance “of 5 million euro to the DILG for projects which the Department deems high-priority, necessary and beneficial to the interest of the Filipino people.”
Meanwhile, in the interest of enhancing the cooperation between the Philippines and Qatar, Ambassador Ali Ibrahim Malki likewise expressed the intention of the Qatari government to extend assistance to the anti-drugs campaign of the government that is being spearheaded by the Department.
In line with this, Malki said Qatar is willing to extend a hand in the all-out war campaign of the Philippine government against the Abu Sayyaf Group following the recent Davao bombing that killed 14 people and wounded 70 innocent civilians.
Malki added Qatar is also interested in helping forge the peace deal between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.