President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expects stronger partnerships with Chile and Qatar in various areas of cooperation as he welcomed the two countries’ new ambassadors to the Philippines.
The Philippines and Chile could work together on disaster response, climate change, energy security as well as enhanced government-to-government collaboration and public-private partnerships, Mr. Marcos told Chilean Ambassador Alvaro Domingo Jara Bucarey.
The Chief Executive also welcomed Qatar Ambassador Ahmed Saad Nasser Abdullah Al-Hamidi, expressing hope that the Philippines and the Gulf country could work closely.
He said the two countries could work together on disaster response, climate change, energy security as well as enhanced government-to-government collaboration and public private partnerships (PPPs).
The Philippines, considered one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, is looking at new technologies and best practices around the world to transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewables, the President said.
Mr. Marcos cited the use of geothermal energy, noting that although the Philippines is one of the top producers of geothermal power, the country has to explore other areas as old geothermal sources start to run out.
President Marcos meanwhile appointed Henry Bensurto Jr. as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkiye, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Friday.
The PCO said Bensurto’s appointment has concurrent jurisdiction over Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The President also named key officials for the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development; Department of Labor and Employment; and National Security Council.
The Chilean Ambassador told President Marcos that the good thing with Chile is its potential for both solar and geothermal energy like the Philippines and needs new technologies and partners to harness such power sources.
“With solar energy we have been able to modify the energy production in Chile. And we would like to see the north of Chile… there is a lot of presence, tourism mostly but they have an immense potential for energy generation,” Bucarey said.
Mr. Marcos was also delighted to be able to explore with the Chilean ambassador some of the new ideas and technologies that are available to both countries, noting the Philippines needs partners as countries slowly redefine their economies for post-Covid and post-Ukraine scenarios.
“So I look forward to that, Mr. Ambassador, and I’m very happy that you have come as the envoy from your country and I am sure – I hope that you will get to see some of my country,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos said that he admired Qatar for transforming its economy and shifting away from traditional revenue sources and toward new income sources with a clear vision for the future, said Marcos Jr.
“It will be a great advantage to the Philippines if it can learn the best practices from Qatar, especially in the area of revenue and income generation,” he told the Qatari ambassador.
Al-Hamidi said his country is ready to partner with the Philippines and explore opportunities that the two countries believe have great potential through years of active diplomatic relations. — Mervin Vince Lopez President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Henry Bensurto Jr. as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkiye, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Friday. The PCO said Bensurto’s appointment has concurrent jurisdiction over Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Bensurto previously served as the Philippine Consul General to San Francisco from 2014 to 2020.
Meanwhile, the PCO also released the list of the latest appointments in the administration. These include: Department of Agrarian Reform (Date of appointment: March 21, 2023), Mr McDonald M. Galit as the Director IV. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering (Date of appointment: March 21, 2023), Ariodera C. Rico, Director IV and Juana T. Tapel, Director III DA, National Meat Inspection Service (Date of appointment: March 21, 2023) Alvin A. Leal as Director II. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DOA: March 21, 2023) Wilfredo S. Mallari as Undersecretary. Department of Labor and Employment (National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council) (DOA: March 21, 2023), Renato B. Almeda, Member, Representing the Employers’ Sector, Luis C. Corral and Roland C. De La Cruz as Members of Representing the Labor Sector. National Security Council (DOA: March 21, 2023), Francis Jude S. Lauengco, Assistant Director-General, Cornelo H. Valencia Jr., Director V, Cyril P. Cusi, and Ruperta T. Salvanera as Director IV President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Henry Bensurto Jr. as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkiye, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Friday.
