PARAÑAQUE CITY, Jan. 2 (PIA) -- The Philippines and Bahrain have vowed to promote cooperation against COVID-19 and protect Filipino migrant workers until the pandemic has been defeated, as respective officials cited the importance of further enhancing bilateral ties in other areas of collaboration.
In the meeting between Presidential Assistant for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Presidential Protocol (PAFA) Robert E.A. Borje, Special Envoy of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and Kingdom of Bahrain Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani recently, both officials recognized the value of Philippines-Bahrain bilateral ties anchored on mutual respect and proven friendship.
During the meeting, PAFA Borje conveyed President Duterte’s gratitude for His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa’s demonstrated commitment to uphold and protect the welfare and well-being of Filipinos in the Kingdom, particularly during the pandemic.
PAFA Borje personally handed over President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s letter for His Majesty the King to Foreign Minister Al-Zayani.
Likewise, Special Envoy Borje cited Bahrain’s regional and global leadership in instituting labor reforms that benefit migrant workers, including the 50,000 Filipinos in the Kingdom. Special Envoy Borje in particular identified the flexi visa program which provided a pathway to regularization as well as the shelter, legal, medical and psychological assistance provided by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority to migrant workers.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Al-Zayani assured the Special Envoy that Bahrain would continue to promote equal treatment of the more than 50,000 Filipinos living and working in the country, including in terms of access to testing, tracing, treatment, and vaccination against COVID-19.
The Foreign Minister also emphasized the importance of cooperation between nations to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, the Foreign Minister welcomed the Philippines’ interest in further expanding the partnership between the two countries, particularly in terms of trade and investment, finance, ICT, and other areas of mutual interest. He affirmed the need for the establishment of consultative and coordinating mechanisms to encourage and enhance collaboration.
Joining Special Envoy Borje in the meeting with the Foreign Minister were Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affair Sarah Lou Y. Arriola of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador of the Philippines to Bahrain Alfonso Ver. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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