Friendship between brethren living over one thousand miles far away

November 13, 2017

Diplomatic relation between Myanmar and Philippines was established on 29th September 1956, reaching now for over 60 years. ASEAN’s birth will enter 50 years of age, this year, hence diplomatic ties between the two countries older than ASEAN’s existence.

Archipelago Country

Though being ASEAN member countries, Myanmar and Philippines are geographically far away from each other, to be exact, 1811 miles far away. It will take us round about three and half hours to travel by air. According to the World Almanac 2015, population in the Philippine outnumbered 107 million, much more than that of Myanmar. The Philippines is an Archipelago country made up of over 7000 islands, but 95 percent of the national populace is living on 11 biggest islands of the country.

Plenty of Imports

The Philippines is the country consisting of national ethnic people, but the amount is lower than compared to that of Myanmar. Of them, Tagalog ethnics occupy 28 percent of the national populace, with Cebuano 13 percent, Ilocano 9 percent, Bisaya 8 percent, Haligaynon Ilonggo 8 percent, Bikol 6 percent and Waray 3 percent respectively. As regards the religion they profess, 86 percent of the populace belongs to Christianity and 5 percent to Islam. The Philippines imports 11.5 percent of imports from USA, with 18.8 percent imported from China, and 10.4 percent from Japan. Most of its exports are also delivered to those countries.

19 Percent of its exports go to Japan, 14.2 percent to USA and 11.8 percent to China. Per capita GDP is US $ 4700, greater than that of Myanmar—US $ 1700. Here, it can be said that it is an advantage for the Philippines to have got huge markets such as USA, Japan and China.

Myanmar-Philippines Co-operation

To put it simply, looking back into the history Myanmar-Philippines Relation stood at the normal stage at the very advent. Though there were exchanges of State Visits of both countries in the later part of 1990, remarkable progress was not found between them. Yet, in April, 2004 Myanmar-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation-JCBC was formed and its first meeting was held in Yangon. At this meeting, the delegation led by Mr Delia Domingo Albert, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Philippines took part in the discussion, in which agreements including cooperation in the sectors including trade, investment and agriculture. Plus, 1st Myanmar-Philippines Policy Consultations was held in June 2006 in Manila, with 2nd Policy Consultations held in July 2007 in Nay Pyi Taw.

Good wishes on friendly country

Myanmar people have owed many thanks to people of Philippines in the post cyclone Nargis period. As all know the Cyclone Nargis occurred in 2008 May 28 had caused a tremendous loss to Myanmar people. Many thousands of people died in that horrible tragic event. Philippines had sent a medical team that comprised 30 medical professionals and wide variety of medicines. Moreover, Philippines used C-130 military transporting aircraft in that event. The assistance of Philippines can be said not too much in terms of money value, however their good wishes to the friendly country can be vividly perceived.

6 Memorandums of Understanding

In December 2013, Myanmar and Philippines could have signed 6 MOUs in total. The MOUs had involved many different cases ranging from sustainable energy sector to commerce and trade affairs. Furthermore, the MOU between the two countries included visa exemption for the people of two countries. Philippinos can visit Myanmar for 14 days without visa while Myanmar can visit Philippines 30 days without visa.

Important Event

The important event during the incumbent government was the visit of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to Myanmar. The President Duterte had arrived in Nay Pyi Taw on 19 March 2017 and stayed two days in Myanmar. The President U Htin Kyaw and the President Duterte delivered the speech at the State Dinner given in honour of the visiting President Duterte.

The President Duterte, in his speech, pointed out that the diplomatic relation between the Philippines and Myanmar had seen the 60th anniversary the previous year. This year a new page in our diplomatic relation will be opened. That new page of the relation will definitely become deepened and firmer. Six decades of our relation has developed perpetually. Almost the same historical experience and common objectives existed in both countries will tie our diplomatic relation stronger than before. The common objectives of our two countries which are to let the people stay in peace, to bring the people to the development and to make them affluent will surely convey the two countries to a stage of close friends like blood related people.

Then he added “We, both countries were implementing together the agricultural sector, labour sector and trade and investment sector and both countries attained the remarkable development. We will make further development.” The President Duterte donated US$ 300,000 to be used in humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State.

Arrival

During the visit of the President Duterte two MOUs had been signed, one was for “Securing Enough Food” and “ Cooperation in Agricultural Sector” Now, The State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has arrived in Philippines to attend ASEAN Summit Meeting and Related meetings. The visit of the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Philippines will certainly make the already-firm relation between the two countries more strengthened.

We believed though the two countries are apart more than 1000 miles, the hand in hand cooperation between the two countries will bring the two countries into firmer and firmer relation with the advancing time.

Translated by Khin Maung Oo and Khin Maung Win

By Lulay Waing

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar