PH gives Mongolia $50K aid for disaster risk reduction

THE PHILIPPINE government has provided USD50,000 worth of aid for disaster risk reduction, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

"The Philippines and Mongolia are both vulnerable to natural calamities, and must work together to mitigate and reduce disaster risks. As an expression of solidarity, the Philippines has donated a modest amount to assist the government of Mongolia in addressing the impact of natural disasters," DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a joint press conference with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg.

Manalo and Battsetseg also discussed ways to promote trade between the Philippines and Mongolia, including the establishment of ties between business communities, and the potential for further cooperation on tourism, agriculture, and education, particularly English language training.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the DFA and the Ministry of Mongolia on cooperation and coordination about bilateral and international issues of common concern, and memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia and the Philippine Sports Commission on sports cooperation.

"The Minister and I also discussed multilateral cooperation, including on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the role of women in peace and security, disaster risk reduction, the common interest of middle-income countries, and mutual support for multilateral candidatures," Manalo said.

"We also discussed ASEAN and Mongolia’s role in the ASEAN Regional Forum and the interest of Mongolia to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partnership and to participate in the East Asia Summit," he added.

Battsetseg also congratulated the Philippines for chairing the ASEAN and the ASEAN Regional Forum in 2026.

"I am fully confident that our talks and mutually agreed upon activities will actualize for the prosperity of our two nations and the welfare of our people, further strengthening and expanding the existing relations and cooperation between Mongolia and the Philippines," he said. (Ma. Teresa Montemayor)