Del Rosario thanks UK for ‘Yolanda’ aid

British Foreign Secretary William Hague, right, shakes hands with his Philippine counterpart Albert del Rosario following their joint news conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 in Manila, Philippines. Del Rosario conveyed to Hague the Philippines’ appreciation for the $232 million in aid that the United Kingdom extended in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, saying the UK was “the biggest contributor of humanitarian assistance.” AP

MANILA, Philippines—Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday conveyed to British Foreign Secretary William Hague the Philippines’ appreciation for the $232 million in aid that the United Kingdom extended in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, saying the UK was “the biggest contributor of humanitarian assistance.”

Hague, who is here on a two-day visit, is the highest incumbent British official to visit the country in more than 15 years.

Del Rosario said the Britain and its people donated more than $232 million in various forms of assistance as well as deployed military resources to help in the global relief efforts after Yolanda struck the Eastern Visayas last November.

“The immense contribution by the British public is a reflection of the deepening people-to-people relations between our countries,” Del Rosario said at a joint press conference he and Hague gave following their meeting.

He said Hague told him the UK government was ready to take part in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the typhoon-devastated areas.

“I underscored that our reconstruction program presents numerous opportunities for cooperation and partnership, both on the part of the government and the private sector. I encouraged the United Kingdom to look into these opportunities,” Del Rosario said.

He said Hague has said that the UK would study a Philippine proposal for a waiver of visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders.

Del Rosario said they discussed the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) situation—where the Philippines and its Asian neighbors have conflicting territorial claims—and that Hague shared the Philippines’ efforts to seek a peaceful and rules-based solution to the maritime dispute.

“We agreed that countries should desist from taking actions that affect peace, security and stability in the region,” Del Rosario said, adding that they also agreed on the importance of maritime security, freedom of navigation, non-use of force and the threat of the use of force, and the peaceful settlement of disputes to promote peace and prosperity in the region.

Hague said that the UK believed the Philippines has the “potential to be one of Asia-Pacific’s great success stories.”

He also said the British people were “deeply humbled” by the resilience and fortitude shown by the Filipinos in the aftermath of Yolanda.—Christine O. Avendaño