KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The administration’s proposed fiscal year 2003 budget includes funding for the establishment of a Palau Embassy in the Philippines, President Tommy Remengesau said.
He made the announcement coinciding with the celebration of the 104th year Philippine Independence Day at the Philippine Embassy here.
The president said the Philippines is one of Palau’s closest neighbors, noting the two nations’ extensive trade and labor relations.
Remengesau recognized the contributions made by the Philippines especially the Filipino workforce in Palau.
“Philippine nationals have been a positive part of the nation-building of the republic on the various fields of labor requirements,” the president said.
He added that since the Philippine government has an embassy here, Palau should reciprocate by establishing an embassy in Manila.
The Palau embassy will also provide assistance to medical referral patients in Manila as well as “immigration and protocol assistance.”
The Philippines is a point of entry for various tourists visiting Palau especially European visitors, Remengesau said.
