During Ambassador Mariño’s incumbency, Palau-Philippine relations flourished. The success of the state visit of former President Tommy Remengesau to Manila in 2008 was due largely to the efforts of the ambassador in close coordination with Palau officials.
Trade and Tourism Cooperation was given impetus by the regular Asian Spirit commercial flights from Cebu and Davao to Koror and back from April 2006 to November 2007.
Early this year, with the full support of Ambassador Mariño, Pacific Flier started a twice-a-week commercial flight between Koror and Clark Airbase in Pampanga, Philippines.
Academic cooperation as well as people-to-people exchanges also increased during the period. The ambassador likewise gave his full attention and commitment to Palau’s medical referral program which, until now, continues to provide a reliable mechanism to Palau citizens seeking admission in Philippine hospitals.
Through the ambassador’s initiative, several memorandums of agreement (MOAs) between the government of Palau and the government of the Philippines have been signed, and now a few more are being scheduled for signing very soon. Two of these MOAs, one on aquaculture and agriculture cooperation, and another on labor cooperation, are expected to further strengthen economic and political ties between the two countries.
The ambassador has expressed enthusiasm for the planned green revolution of Palau as envisioned by President Johnson Toribiong who sees in the Philippines a valuable ally in this endeavor.
Ambassador Mariño also succeeded in developing close cooperation with the Filipino community members in Palau who comprise a full quarter of Palau’s workforce and are therefore in the position to develop the cordial relations already existing between Palau and the Philippines.
The ambassador oversaw the month-long Overseas Absentee Voting which gave Filipino voters in Palau the chance to participate in the recently-concluded Philippine presidential election.
The Philippine embassy in Koror covers the Republic of Palau as well as the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall Islands.
Minister and Consul General Vicente Vivencio Bandillo will serve as Chargé d’ Affaires until the arrival of the incoming ambassador, who is yet to be named.
