DFA chief brings up Aquino visit in courtesy call on Brunei sultan

As he paid a courtesy call on Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario brought up the upcoming visit of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to the country. Aside from Aquino's visit to Brunei, Del Rosario also talked to the Brunei Sultan on May 10 about the grand mosque being built in Cotabato in southern Philippines. "(Del Rosario) mentioned the forthcoming visit by President Benigno S. Aquino III to the country as an opportunity to strengthen Philippine-Brunei bilateral relations," the DFA said in a news release posted on its website. "This project would be named after the Sultan and a shining testament of the two countries' close ties, as well as an enduring legacy of Brunei's commitment to fostering cultural understanding," the DFA said. Del Rosario said the new chancery of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, expected to be finished by June this year, is also a symbol of the Philippines' long-term commitment in fostering and strengthening relations with Brunei. Del Rosario also reaffirmed the Philippines' interest in enhancing cooperation in agriculture. Peace process Meanwhile, the Philippine government acknowledged Brunei's support for the peace process and development in southern Philippines. Del Rosario conveyed the Philippine Government's appreciation for the Brunei's continued participation in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao since October 2004. He thanked the Sultan for hosting more than 18,000 Filipinos who are currently residing and working in Brunei. PPP projects Del Rosario also invited Brunei to participate in the public-private partnership (PPP) projects in key infrastructure support facilities, especially in the energy sector. He also highlighted the Roll On-Roll Off (RORO) system's potential to boost trade and tourism between the two countries, as part of ASEAN's overall Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC). The official who met Del Rosario at the Brunei airport were Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Second Minister Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awang Lim Jock Seng. Shortly before his audience with the sultan, Del Rosario was granted an audience by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah. Joining the trade official were Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ambassador-at-Large, Princess Hajah Masna, and the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awang Lim Jock Seng, at Balai Penghadapan in Bandar Seri Begawan. After the royal audience, Del Rosario attended lunch hosted by Prince Mohamed at the same venue. During his visit to Brunei, Del Rosario also viewed the progress of the ongoing construction of the new Philippine chancery, which would showcase Philippine architectural design. - VVP, GMA News