EU ambassador courtesy call

(Top photo) European Union Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Mariomassimo Santoro (center) pays a courtesy call on Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (2nd to the right) at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Central Office in Intramuros, Manila on 17 October 2025. During the visit, Ambassador Santoro reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to sustaining the effective implementation of the EU-Philippines partnership to continue working together on various avenues for collaboration. The meeting also highlighted ongoing collaborations under the EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and the forthcoming round of negotiations for the Philippines-EU Free Trade Agreement, protection and reinforcement of Freedom of Association, exchange of best practices on green programs, and EU-funded programs of DOLE and the International Labour Organization. Secretary Laguesma, joined by Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio Jr, welcomed the Ambassador and expressed appreciation for the EU’s continued support for DOLE programs and initiatives aimed at upholding international labor standards and fostering inclusive growth. (Photos by Ali Creo/DOLE-IPS)