Remarks of
Ambassador JAIME VICTOR B. LEDDA
on the Occasion of the 118^th Anniversary
of the Declaration of Philippine Independence
8 June 2016, Marriott Hotel, The Hague

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Friends,

Thank you very much for joining us this evening to celebrate the 118^th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. We welcome you as happily as we welcome back the sun in The Hague.

To our colleagues who are observing the holy month of Ramadan, thank you for your presence today and Ramadan Kareem.

On this day, we commemorate the collective stand our forefathers took to break free and fight for self-rule, resulting in the triumphant birth of the Filipino nation and our people’s independence. We continue the work of our heroes, and against every adversity and challenge, we grow stronger as a nation, united by our selfless love of our country and the strong sense of duty to ensure a brighter future for generations to come.

This year, the Philippines enters a new chapter in governance following the successful and peaceful conduct of the national elections that saw 80% of the voting population exercise their right to vote and elect a new President, Vice President, legislators and local government officials.

As the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III completes its term and works to ensure a smooth turnover, we look back at the many positive things to celebrate on this auspicious day:

• The Philippine economy continues to perform very well. In the first quarter of this year the economy posted a 6.9% growth and maintained its standing as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with forecasts of growth in 2016 of 6.8 to 7.8%.

• Since 2013, the Philippines has been rated investment grade by credit ratings agencies – Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Service. Foreign direct investments reached a record high in 2015 at over 6 billion dollars, an increase of 31.2% the previous year.

• Through targeted programs aimed at improving education, health and poverty eradication, today, growth in the Philippines is more shared and more inclusive, allowing more Filipinos to live with the dignity that he or she deserves. Poverty incidence is now down by more than 2% at 26.3% from eight years ago.

• Last year, the Philippines successfully chaired the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and hosted the APEC Summit in November. In 2017, the Philippines will chair and host the ASEAN, including the Summits, on the occasion of the association’s 50^th anniversary.

The Philippines and the Netherlands mark a milestone in 2016 with the commemoration of the 65^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the 150^th anniversary of consular relations. Our relevant agencies, particularly our respective embassies, are holding commemorative activities for this year in Manila and in The Hague.

The Philippines and the Netherlands have enjoyed strong and steady relations over the past decades. The meaningful connection with the seas and with water, the shared values and advocacies in international affairs, and centuries-old economic ties dating as far back as the 16^th century, are all fundamental elements that have brought bilateral ties to where they are today.

Trade has been an integral part of the relations and has flourished over time. The Netherlands is a top 15 trading partner of the Philippines and, significantly, the 3^rd largest source of foreign direct investments in the past 10 years. The Netherlands was the number one foreign investor in 2015 (33% of total FDI) and likewise in 2012. Dutch companies have made great contributions in enhancing economic relations and have been invaluable in nurturing people-to-people ties.

Bilateral relations have also been strengthened over the years with exchanges of timely, high-level official visits, which include that of Her Majesty Queen Maxima in July 2015 to Manila, and the visits to the Netherlands of then-Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario, Health Secretary Janette Garin and Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes.

We continue to explore and build with the Netherlands many avenues for economic and development cooperation, especially on disaster risk reduction, maritime cooperation, water management and agriculture. We are also working together to address and tackle human rights and human trafficking issues.

Of course, this healthy cooperation is based on the active people-to-people relations that we enjoy and that have endured through the years.

At this moment, the Philippine government wishes to honor one such shining example of this by presenting an exemplary recognition to a Dutch couple who, through their organization the Heetens Helpgood Center Philippines (HHCP), have left an indelible mark on the lives of Filipinos through various community development initiatives for the past 25 years.

Made up of Dutch nationals who organized themselves through volunteerism, the HHCP has provided medical and hospital equipment, school materials and supplies, scholarship programs, and livelihood assistance to communities in the provinces of Quezon, Camarines Sur, Samar, Batanes, and Camiguin, to name a few. Early this year, they have opened a clinic in Gumaca, Quezon.

Today, by virtue of Executive Order 236 and with authority from the President of the Republic of the Philippines, I am pleased and honored to present the Order of the Golden Heart to Mr. Joannnes Antonius Maria “Jo” Schoorlemmer and Mrs. Geertruida Maria Paulina “Truus” Opgenoort Schoorlemmer of the Heetens Helpgood Center Philippines. The Order of the Golden Heart gives official recognition to Filipino or foreign citizens who have rendered distinguished services or given noteworthy monetary or material aid, encouragement to the campaign for the amelioration and improvement of the moral, social and economic conditions of the Filipino masses, and for volunteerism in the service of the Filipino masses.

(Awarding follows; Call Mr. Jo and Truus to the stage and present the award).

Let me conclude my remarks by inviting all of you to join me in a toast to the good health of Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Majesty King Willem Alexander and to the enduring friendship and prosperity of the Philippines and the Kingdom of the Netherlands and to all our dear colleagues and partners in the international community.

May we all have peace and friendship, health and wealth.

Thank you and Mabuhay!