Palawan Solidifies Ties with Australia

by Celeste Anna Formosa

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan — Governor Victorino Socrates on Tuesday welcomed Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu and her accompanying delegation, with the goal of exploring potential joint initiatives.

The diplomatic encounter marked an important step in fortifying ties between the Philippines and Australia, with a particular focus on enhancing cooperation between Palawan and its Australian counterparts.

Ambassador Yu and Socrates engaged in substantive discussions regarding potential areas of partnership between Palawan and Australia as they delved into topics ranging from maritime security to tourism, energy, telecommunications and humanitarian response.

The discussions highlighted the mutual benefits that such collaborative endeavors could yield.

One notable point of conversation was the “Exercise Alon” currently being conducted by Filipino and Australian forces in the municipality of Rizal in Southern Palawan. The drill aims to bolster the readiness and operational capabilities of the armed forces.

Ambassador Yu expressed her gratitude for Palawan’s unwavering support in hosting the exercise and emphasized the importance of working closely together to safeguard sovereignty, particularly given the challenges posed by the province’s proximity to the West Philippine Sea.

Reprinted with permission from the Daily Tribune