You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?

There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!

Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!


Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!

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Showing posts with label European Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label European Union. Show all posts

Friday, December 16, 2022

Marcos asks EU: ‘Who will pay for damage caused by climate change?

by Raymund Antonio, MB

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. raised a question to the European Union (EU) amid discussions on the loss and damage compensation because of climate change: “Who do we go to? Who pays the bulk of it?”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Brussels, Belgium (Photo from the Office of the Press Secretary)

During a press conference at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (ASEAN-EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, the Chief Executive mused about who would shoulder the loss and damage fund in relation to climate financing. 

Despite EU being at the “forefront” of the proposal to compensate developing countries for the damages caused by climate change, the President noted the difficulties of determining the actual amount of compensation needed, as well as process to acquire this compensation.

“And however, the issue of damage and loss is still — although it is a big step forward that we all now accept both developing and developed countries, now accept the concept of damage and loss, the actual number is very, very hard to determine,” he told journalists. 

“And beyond that, even if we are able to quantify the damage and loss, it says $100 million whatever the number is, what do we do with that number? Who do we go to? Who do we — who pays the bulk of it?,” Marcos asked.

He also raised issues on “how will the compensation for that damage and loss be made.”

“And on my part, I think until we are able to determine that, I think we should think of what we can do in the future, and that I think has great potential to be put into effect in the short term, rather than in the very long term,” the President said. 

The concept of climate financing and loss and damage fund was launched in November 2022 during the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate summit in Egypt when the EU agreed to help poor countries mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Loss and damage refers to the ravages of extreme weather on the physical and social infrastructure of poor countries, and the finance needed for rescue and reconstruction after climate-related disasters.

Rich countries such as the United States and China both objected to the fund. The two countries are also the top emitters of carbon dioxide.

Marcos, however, noted the “willingness for the developed countries to participate and to help in mitigation, to help in adaptation for those countries like the Philippines, most of the countries around ASEAN that are very vulnerable.”

“There’s a willingness to help but how to provide that help is still a question that we cannot definitively answer,” he said, adding that “a lot of work” needs to be done since this is an “important issue” for the Philippines and many other countries.

Marcos’ remarks came after he asked EU to extend assistance to the Philippines in mitigating the harsh effects of climate change.

“Climate action is particularly important to the Philippines,” the President said, especially since the country is “regarded as probably one of the most, if not the most, vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change.”

“Since that seems to be the case and that is what we are facing in the Philippines, we are very much in need of the assistance of Europe, of all the first world countries and to be able to adjust our economy, our communities to the onset of the effects of climate change,” he added.

Thursday, October 20, 2022

PH commits to comply 27 int’l conventions, seeks continued EU-GSP+ status

by Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat, MB

The Philippines committed to comply with the 27 international core conventions on human rights, labor, environment, and good governance as it sought to maintain its duty-free privilege for the country’s exports under the EU-Generalized System of Preferences+ (EU-GSP+).

Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Allan B. Gepty, who represented the Department of Trade and Indusry during the One Country, One Voice virtual consultation on the EU-GSP+ on Wednesday, Oct. 19, made this commitment as the country is facing strong headwinds from the EU in its petition to maintain its status in the EU-GSP+ scheme. 

The EU, particularly members of the EU Parliament have been very vocal in their criticism against the Philippines, particularly on alleged human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, freedom of the press, freedom of association and labor rights, red tagging, and pending bills such as the death penalty. Compliance to these are major issues in the 27 international conventions is a major criteria for a beneficiary country’s continued status for duty-free benefits of its exports.

“The enjoyment of GSP+ is anchored on the country’s compliance with the 27 international core conventions on human rights, labor, environment and good governance, and the Philippines remains committed in making good its commitments under these international conventions. Our policy direction is clear on these areas, and the Philippines can well serve as a strategic and reliable partner of the EU in the region,” said emphasized.

He reiterated that the Philippines is open to work closely with the EU (EU Commission, EU Parliament, and EU Council) to ensure compliance with international core conventions.

Gepty noted that EU is one of the major trading and investment partners of the Philippines. Through the EU GSP+ scheme, Gepty said, local stakeholders as well as foreign investors get to enjoy preferential market access in the EU market for qualified products.

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“This arrangement gives our stakeholders comparative advantage and we want to maintain this,” Gepty stressed.

Gepty cited the benefits the EU-GSP has provided to the Philippine economy via its GSP+ program since December 2014. The Philippines’ current status in the EU-GSP Plus, which grants zero duty on 6,274 tariff lines, including the country’s top major exports such as tuna, processed fruits, and garments.

The EU Commission is currently evaluating the Philippines and is expected to come up with the report for the 4th Monitoring Cycle in the fourth quarter this year. The expected report will also be used as a springboard for the new assessment when the Philippines reapplies to the new GSP+ scheme in 2024.

Gepty further emphasized that he continuation of EU GSP+ is beneficial for the Philippines and the EU in driving inclusive growth and sustainable development.

As such, he said, “issues and concerns against the Philippines must be received with utmost circumspection, clarified, and contextualized.”

With EU as a big export market and as a key investment partner, the Philippines intends to continue availing EU GSP+ to boost inclusiveness for businesses, among others. Gepty also noted that the government and the business sector are calling for the resumption of the PH-EU FTA negotiations. 

In addition, Gepty said the Philippines can be the EU’s reliable and strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

Philippine exports to the EU has been improving since it started enjoying the GSP+ scheme. Total Philippine exports to EU in 2015 reached 6.68 billion euros reaching a high of 7.63 billion euros in 2019, but it declined to 6.2 billion euros in 2020 due to the pandemic. The country’s exports to EU registered a strong rebound in 2021 to 7.77 billion euros.

In terms of EU-GSP+, data from the Eurostat showed that the country’s duty-free exports under the program reached 1.60 billion euros in 2015 and steadily climbed to 1.95 billion euros in 2019 before declining to 1.6 billion euros in 2020. The country’s GSP+ exports recovered hitting an all-time high of 2.03 billion euros in 2021.

Data also showed that of the country’s high utilization of the program from 68.3 percent in 2015 to 76 percent in 2021, making the Philippines 6th largest export market globally.

The GSP+ has saved 150 million euros in duty annually for Philippine exports.

Friday, August 26, 2022

EU wants to boost trade with PH

Romanian Ambassador Raduta Dana Matache gestures during a roundtable interview with The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante ‘Klink’ Ang 2nd on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDEMOR


By Bernadette E. Tamayo, Manila Times


THE Philippines should take advantage of the "heightened interest" of the European Union to boost trade with the Philippines, the ambassador of Romania to Manila said.

"The whole of the EU is interested in the Philippines," Ambassador Raduta Dana Matache said on Thursday in a roundtable interview with The Manila Times Chairman Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd.

Matache started as Romania's envoy to the Philippines last December with a mandate from Romanian President Klaus Iohannis "to help re-launch relations" between Bucharest and Manila.


The Philippines and Romania celebrated half a century of diplomatic relations this year. The two countries established diplomatic ties on Feb. 29, 1972.

There are an estimated 1,300 Filipinos in the central European country.

Romania was the first country in the former socialist eastern European bloc with which the Philippines established diplomatic ties, at the initiative of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

Asked how she could put the Philippines on the "radar" of the Romanian people and the rest of the EU, Matache said Romania can serve as the Philippines' "springboard" to the European community.

"You should take advantage of this heightened interest and have this responsibility for enhanced cooperation [with EU]," she said.

The ambassador added that it "would help immensely" if the Philippines reopens its embassy in Bucharest which was closed in 2012 supposedly to cut costs.

Matache said her government is "interested in a strong, free democratic Philippines that is at peace with its neighbors."

"We are interested in freedom of navigation because in a globalized world, even if Romania is 10,000 kilometers away, [it] is affected by everything that happens here," she said.

The Philippines has some areas of development that interest Romania most, the envoy said. "You have a fantastic business process outsourcing sector. We have a lot of startups. We can help each other by putting together a competitive advantage," Matache said.

In a video message in June during a cultural event co-hosted by the Romanian embassy in Manila, Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu said his country is determined to strengthen its ties with the Philippines and jointly promote international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

Aurescu said Romania continues to be actively involved in the implementation of the EU Indo-Pacific strategy. "We advocate that a stable and developed Southeast Asia is central to a safe and prosperous world," Aurescu added. "All these as well as our common interests in ensuring and preserving peace and security and respect for human rights worldwide bring our two countries even closer."

"We look forward to expanding our bilateral, political and economic cooperation, trade investments and people to people exchanges," he said.

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

EU sees deeper ties with PH under Marcos


European Union Ambassador to Manila Luc Véron and President-elect Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. PHOTO BY BBM MEDIA BUREAU


By Bernadette E. Tamayo, Manila 


EUROPEAN Union Ambassador to Manila Luc Véron is confident that the EU-Philippines relations "will deepen" under the Marcos administration.

Véron on Monday paid President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. a visit.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to meet President-elect Marcos ahead of his inauguration. I do not doubt that the EU-Philippines cooperation based on shared values and objectives will deepen under the Marcos administration," Véron said in a statement.

The envoy said he and Marcos "had an excellent conversation about the state of the world and his ambitions for the Philippines in the coming years."

"I am also heartened to hear that the incoming President is willing to work with the EU and its member states," Véron said.

He said that Marcos will be invited to attend the 45th anniversary of EU-Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) relations commemorative summit in Brussels, Belgium on December 14, 2022.

The ambassador conveyed the wish of all EU member states ambassadors to meet Marcos at the earliest opportunity.

He welcomed the importance that Marcos "attached to the enhanced partnership" between the Philippines and the EU and its member states.

Véron said he agreed with Marcos on the need to respect international law in the South China Sea, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its dispute settlement mechanisms.

He presented the scope of the bilateral relationship between the EU and the Philippines ranging from trade and investments to the extensive cooperation on justice system, socio-economic development, sustainable energy, governance, peace in Mindanao and vaccination against Covid-19.

The EU Mission in the Philippines said both sides agreed that addressing climate change and the green economic recovery from the pandemic must be at the forefront of the bilateral agenda.

The EU conveyed its readiness "to stay engaged, at the [Philippine] government's wishes, to further consolidate the peace process in the Bangsamoro region."

Saturday, October 5, 2019

36 social entrepreneurs from the BARMM to show their products ...


... and services during the CSO-SEED BIR Demo Day

Cagayan De Oro, Philippines, 7thOctober, 2019:Villgro Philippines and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation, in partnership with the British Council and co-funded by the European Union, will be conducting a Demo Day and Social Enterprise Showcase on October 7th at the N Hotel in Cagayan de Oro. Key stakeholders from the ecosystem including the Government, financial institutions, international and local NGOs and private market partners, will be in attendance for a day of networking and panel discussions. The event is also an opportunity to see the progress of 36 social entrepreneurs from across the BARMM network showcase their products, ranging from agriculture, food, and fisheries to lending, trading, business services and weaving.  The showcase booths are open to public from 3:00pm to 5:30pm. 

This event is part of the Business and Investment Readiness Programme and is the final activity of the three-year long CSO-SEED Programme which aims to improve civil society participation in policy reforms and develop local incubators to cultivate an environment conducive to decent work, job creation and Small to Medium Enterprise development.

"The British Council in the Philippines works with partners such as Villgro and ASSIST to help strengthen the Philippines’ social enterprise sector and make it sustainable, particularly in conflict affected communities. We are aware of the huge potential of the sector and take pride in how our CSO SEED grantees have improved their governance structure and business model as a social enterprise. In this event, we are confident that our grantees will be able to demonstrate that they are prepared to broaden their markets across and beyond BARMM,” said Pilar Aramayo-Prudencio, Country Director, British Council in the Philippines.

Six social enterprise intermediaries were carefully selected to participate in the programme and successfully mentored the SEs: Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, The Moropreneur Inc., Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People, Nagdilaab Foundation, Maranao People Development Center, and Concerned Alliance of Professionals and Students Inc.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the British Council and the European Union on the Business and Investment Readiness initiative, which is focussed on long-term sustainable change in one of the most vulnerable of the regions. The openness and thirst for knowledge of our partners on the ground is driving this programme.  I have personally been very impressed by the quality and success of the businesses located in some of the most remote parts of the country.  What they need is a tad bit of resources and access to markets to accelerate their growth,” said Priya Thachadi, CEO and Co-founder of Villgro Philippines.

Over the course of the programme, entrepreneurs received seed funding to support their ideas and had the opportunity to be mentored by their respective social enterprise intermediaries and various other mentors. The demo day is being organized to help social enterprise intermediaries (SEIs) and their respective social enterprises (SEs) network with key ecosystem stakeholders and support them in scaling their social impact in the BARMM.

About Villgro
Villgro is an early-stage social enterprise incubator and investor. Villgro funds and mentors’ innovative social enterprises that are building solutions to improve the lives of the poor. Through its intensive hands-on model, Villgro works closely with entrepreneurs at the early stages, helping them navigate the challenges of getting to market faster and cheaper.

Set up in 2001, Villgro has supported over 120 social enterprises in India, who have gone on to raise almost USD 20 million in follow on funding, created about 4000 jobs and impacted the lives of around 15 million people.

Villgro in the Philippines aims to create successful, innovative, impactful enterprises in the country. Their hands-on incubation model will provide funding, mentoring, knowledge and networks to early stage entrepreneurs, who are building innovative solutions to impact the lives of the poor. Their unique incubation model will help entrepreneurs strengthen their problem solution fit, validate business models and build and implement a strong go-to-market strategy that will be sustainable and impactful.

For more information contact:
Angelo Guingona Santiago
Program Manager, Villgro Philippines


Friday, December 14, 2018

EU awards 7 contracts providing clean energy to 40,000 Philippine households



(philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union signed Thursday seven new contracts with civil society groups and other organizations for the implementation of projects helping provide clean energy to 40,000 households in the Philippines.

In a press statement, the EU said the projects will “contribute to electrify remote places and provide income-generating activities to the beneficiary communities.”

The EU’s contribution to these projects amounts to €21 million, which was drawn from the bloc’s Access to Sustainable Energy Programme, or ASEP, that aims to support the electrification of 100,000 households in the Philippines.

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said ASEP, which will last until 2021, will increase the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix and, in turn, expand access to clean electricity by remote populations.

“These projects will contribute to the implementation of the Department of Energy's objective to reach 100 percent of electrification in 2020 in the country,” the EU said.

The seven projects awarded are:

Strengthening Off-grid Lighting with Appropriate Renewable Energy Solutions (SOLARES): €5 million grant to MAHINTANA - Solar Home Systems (SHS) coupled with livelihood activities will be provided to 5,000 households of poor areas of North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

Improving the Lives of People in Off-Grid Communities in Mindanao through the Provision of Sustainable Energy: €4.5 million grant to YAMOG – A total of 5,000 households are targeted in North and South Cohabit as well as in Davao Oriental. 3,800 households will be provided Solar Home Systems while 1,200 will gain access to energy through pico-hydropower.

SolarBnB Microhotel & Island Livelihood Energizer Platform (SMILE): €3.9 million grant to KABANG KALIKASAN (WWF) – This action brings 24-hour energy access to 4 poor, remote island communities by integrating proven components of successful electrification and livelihood projects into a comprehensive small island electrification model while serving growing demand for eco-tourism & adventure travel. Local stakeholders include island communities, EC’s Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO) and Dinagat Electric Cooperative (DIELCO), the Dinagat and Siargao Tourism Councils, and the Municipality of Carmen.

Renewable energy technology for seaweed value added in Tawi-Tawi (RETS): €4.2 million grant to UNIDO – This action aims to increase electricity access in the island of Tawi-Tawi, particularly in seaweed producing municipalities; improvement of the delivery of community services such as health and nutrition, education, sanitation through the availability of electricity services in off-grid and rural seaweed farming communities and increase the value added of seaweed farming its income generation potential.

Renewable Energy Access for off-grid Communities and Households (REACH): €3.7 million grant to CLOVEK (PEOPLE IN NEED) -  The action aims to enhance social welfare, disaster-resilience and economic growth of vulnerable off-grid communities in remote areas of Northern Samar through innovative, scalable, and sustainable renewable energy technologies and systems.

Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth (RELY): €2.2 million grant to SEQUA - The action promotes the use of renewable energy to improve livelihoods and climate resilience in off-grid, poor and remote communities in the Philippines, specifically in Region VII and IV-B.

Clean Energy Living Laboratories (CELLs): The development of centres of excellence on energy access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency €3.8 million grant to Ateneo de Manila University - A Centre of Excellence, based in a University with regional antennas in Davao and Cebu, will be the national reference for renewable energy and correspondent of Energy4ALL initiative.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

European Union Invites Duterte to Brussels, Belgium

By Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star) | 

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President Duterte welcomes to Malacañang the other day Nobel Peace laureate and former Poland president Lech Walesa. Duterte said he sought advice, which he did not specify, from the Polish democracy icon.
MANILA, Philippines — The European Union has formally invited President Duterte to attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM12) in Brussels, Belgium in October, EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said yesterday.
At the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Jessen, head of the EU delegation to the Philippines, said the formal invitation was sent on Tuesday.
“They just sent the invitation to the President. We don’t have a reply yet,” Jessen said.
–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

ASEM12 will be hosted by the EU on Oct. 18 to 19, 2018. The ASEM is an Asian-European political dialogue forum to enhance relations and various forms of cooperation among its partners.
The ambassador said a visit by Duterte, who has not been to Europe, would be welcome and an opportunity to “develop an understanding of Europe.”
“He’s not been to Europe, and I think he’s actually never been to Europe, and when you think about the importance of the EU-Philippine relationship, it is probably starting to be noticeable that we haven’t had a visit from him,” Jessen said.
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“I would very much like him to go there and maybe also to develop his understanding of Europe and what we’re doing in Europe. We are not spending all our time criticizing the Philippines,” he added.
Europe, he said, is itself going through a major change.
The ambassador believes that when Duterte goes to Europe and immerses in discussions, “he will come back with a more positive understanding” of the EU.
Duterte had lashed out at the EU repeatedly for raising human rights concerns over his deadly crackdown on illegal drugs.
He had accused the EU of interfering in the country’s domestic affairs.
Last October, Duterte threatened to expel EU envoys within 24 hours, saying Europe was plotting to get the Philippines ejected from the United Nations.

Philippines presides over UN rights meet

Meanwhile, the Philippines has presided over the United Nations’ meeting as vice president of the Human Rights Council that is reviewing the human rights records of Botswana.
Ambassador Evan Garcia is representing the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) in the Human Rights Council (HRC) bureau, the leadership body of the UNHRC.
Garcia said the Philippines’ election “strongly affirms the high regard and trust in (its) leadership in the field of human rights by the UN member states.”
The election of the Philippines as one of five members of the HRC bureau formalized and confirmed the unanimous decision of the APG that nominated Garcia to the position. He was elected by consensus of the 47 member states of the UNHRC during the Organizational Meeting of the Council held last Jan. 10.
“I am very grateful and honored for this opportunity that the international community has given to the Philippines,” Garcia said.
“This development is consistent with the Philippines’ long-standing policy of active engagement in the field of human rights, in general, and at the UNHRC, in particular.”

Friday, October 27, 2017

EU eyes 100M EURO grant for Marawi Rehabilitation

EU eyes €100-M grant for Marawi rehab

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EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said the group is eyeing a grant that would focus on the rehabilitation of Marawi City as well as the whole of Mindanao. File
MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) is looking to offer the Philippines a grant of as much as 100 million euros for the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City.
EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said the group is eyeing a grant that would focus on the rehabilitation of Marawi City as well as the whole of Mindanao.

“Right now, we are discussing internally in the EU, we’re talking about 55 million euros. Later on we intend to expand around 100 million euros for Mindanao and Marawi,” Jessen said on the sidelines of the 4th Energy Smart Philippines summit yesterday.
Jessen said they have already spent under 1 million euros on assisting Marawi in areas such as water purification.
“Things that are very practical that don’t affect foreign policy but it does affect the daily life of the people there,” he said.
Jessen emphasized the new assistance would focus on job creation in the region.
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“We look at this as partly reconstruction, but also to give the people hope and permanent jobs. So job creation would be a major focus. Energy will also be a major focus,” he said.
The EU ambassador stressed the importance of rehabilitating Marawi for the Philippines to attract more European investors into the country.
“The European investors don’t look at the country divided into different regions, but they look at it as one country. And it is important that there is peace across the country,” Jessen said.
Sought to comment on the issue of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano reportedly rejecting the EU’s grant to the country, Jessen said he met with the official two days ago.
“We had a very good discussion. We had a very intense discussion with Secretary Cayetano and (Finance) Secretary (Carlos) Dominguez and then we went through the different issues and we’re sort of going back to our corners and see how we can modify,” Jessen said.
Cayetano confirmed meeting the EU ambassador.
“If there are no conditionalities and it will not affect our sovereignty, then everyone is free to help,” Cayetano had said.
President Duterte has been ranting at the EU for criticizing his policy against illegal drugs.
In May, Duterte informed the EU that the Philippine government would no longer accept development aid from the body.
Jessen said the decision to cut aid from the EU would mean the loss of about 250 million euros worth of grants, mostly allocated to Muslim communities in Mindanao.
Jessen stressed the EU would continue its development program.
“Our development assistance is for the Philippines and that’s where we need to focus. It’s for companies, it’s for people, it’s health, it’s energy, it’s better education and it’s the reconstruction of Marawi,” Jessen said.
Military operations have cost P5 billion ($97 million) and the government estimates it could cost 10 times that much to rebuild Marawi.
Apart from the EU, Australia, the United States, Singapore, Russia, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are among the countries and organizations that have offered to help.
In a related development, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) donated P2 million as seed capital for each family of the soldiers who died in the battle of Marawi.
“This project from San Miguel Corporation which will extend P330 million to 163 soldiers or police killed in action at P2 million as seed capital for a business startup assistance for each of family (of soldiers) killed in Marawi,” SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang said.
Ang and outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Gen. Eduardo Año sealed the donation in a ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.
“This is the best we can honor them. We cannot replace them or can we repay them for their sacrifice, but we can honor them and help them fulfill their dream of better lives for their families,” Ang said.
Año, for his part, was all praises for the gesture.
“The donation of P2-million seed business capital would really go a long, long way for the bereaved families for them to be able to get going, building their own lives and show that their husbands or their sons who died fighting really did all their best for the country,” Año said.
“Mr. Ang, you’re an angel to our bereaved families. We cannot thank you enough, the whole AFP is really in gratitude… hence the AFP, as I said, will always be the professional armed forces that will be the protector of the people and the state,” he told Ang. – Jaime Laude