The Hague, 14 March 2022 -- Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya visited the International Institute for Social Studies (ISS) and donated books on the Philippines. Deputy Rector Professor Karin CJM Arts received the donation on behalf of the Institute.

The Ambassador made the donation when he attended the presentation of Rev. Fr. Jose Victor F. Lobrigo, an alumnus of ISS and President/CEO of SEDP – Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, Inc., at the ISS Social Committee’s “Kapihan,” an informal forum among graduate students held every month.

The books donated to the ISS were “Stewards of the Nation: Aguinaldo to Duterte and Their Inaugural Visions,” co-authored with Jonathan E. Malaya; “Philippine Treaties in Force 2020”, co-authored with Atty. Crystal Gale Mandigma, and the Embassy’s book projects “Crossroads: A Compendium of Agreements between the Philippines and The Netherlands, 1951-2021,” and “Philippines-Netherlands Community Resource List: Directory of Businesses, Support Services and Related Entities.”

Fr. Lobrigo shared at the forum the services of the SEDP – Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, Inc., a micro-finance NGO based in the Bicol region in the Philippines. SEDP provides financial and non-financial services to its members to improve their socio-economic condition. It also offers financial services to the employees of parishes, Church institutions and private businesses.

Founded in 1952, the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague is a world-renowned center for research and teaching focused on global development and social studies.

Ambassador Malaya was accompanied by Consul Marianne I. Bringas and Ms. Kieren Batiles, Information Officer. END