VP Sara: PH to strengthen ties, partnership with Lao, Czechia

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte said on Tuesday the Philippines shall continue to strengthen diplomatic ties and collaboration on education with the states of Laos and the Czechia (also Czech Republic).

In a social media post, Duterte said the ambassadors of the two countries visited the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and discussed significant matters related to their common interests.

Duterte pertains to Lao Ambassador to the Philippines Sonexay Vannaxay and Czechia Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Šedivá.

“Sa aming pag-uusap, napagkasunduan namin na mas palakasin pa ang diplomatikong relasyon sa pagitan ng Lao at Pilipinas bilang mga kasapi ng (In our talk, we agreed to strengthen the diplomatic relations of the Philippines and Laos even more as members of the) Association of Southeast Asian Nations,” she said, referring to Vannaxay.

Besides improving diplomatic ties, the Lao representative also expressed interest in education and healthcare.

“Sinabi ko sa kanya na ang Office of the Vice President ay handang magbigay ng tulong sa Lao sa pagkilala ng mga local government units na mayroong best health practices na maaari nilang pag-aralan o subukan (I told him that the OVP is ready to help Lao in identifying local government units that have best health practices which they can assess and adapt),” Duterte added.

Moreover, Šedivá also visited the OVP as she pressed on her country’s support for Philippine education, which is currently working on the learning recovery following the pandemic effects.  

Duterte expressed gratitude for Czechia’s efforts in the Philippines, especially in the disadvantaged areas.

“Nagbigay ang Czech Republic ng 20 computers para sa mga mag-aaral sa isang maliit na bayan sa Bohol. Pinasalamatan naman natin ang suporta na ibinigay ng Czech Republic sa ating bansa (The Czech Republic donated 20 computers for learners in a small town in Bohol. We thanked the Czech Republic for its support to our country),” she said.

The Philippines is celebrating its 50th anniversary of fortified diplomatic ties with the Czechia. (Stephanie Sevillano)