MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Kathy Sullivan M.P., has arrived in Manila as part of a week-long official visit to the Philippines that will also take her to the southern province of Mindanao.
As Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs Sullivan assists the Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, and has particular responsibility for Australia's aid program.
The Australian Government provides about Pesos 1.5 billion (A$57 million) in aid to the Philippines each year.
The aid program, which is administered by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), provides assistance in the fields of education, training, water supply, health and other areas.
Australia is targeting aid funding to the poorest provinces of the Philippines. In Mindanao Australia is supporting the peace process with assistance to former Moro National Liberation Front combatants and their families.
During her visit, Mrs Sullivan will inspect several Australian supported aid projects and meet Provincial Governors and Secretaries of Government Departments.
While in Mindanao Mrs Sullivan will visit a Moro National Liberation Front base camp, which is receiving Australian aid. She will also have meetings with members of the Bangsamoro Women's Foundation, the South Cotabato Governor, Hilario de Pedro and Mayor Rozalita Nunez and local government officials of General Santos City.
In Manila, she will meet Ceilito Habito, Secretary of the National Economic Development Authority, Dr Erlinda Pefianco of the Department of Education and Culture, Carmencita Reodica, Secretary of the Department of Health and Cecilia Soriano, Undersecretary of the Department of Finance. She will also meet the Asian Development Bank President, Mitsuo Sato, and ADB officials.
MANILA
Media contacts:
Judi Nixon (Mrs Sullivan's office) 07 5591 1011/0411 287 258
Deborah Nesbitt (AusAID Canberra) 02 6206 4966/0417 683 767