MANDALUYONG CITY — Four foreign diplomats on Monday separately paid Vice President Sara Duterte a visit to discuss continued relations and possible future cooperations between the Philippines and their countries.

Bangladeshi Ambassador F.M. Borhan Uddin updated the Vice President on recent developments in Bangladesh’s economy, trade and investments, and education sector. The Ambassador highlighted the historic relationship between the Philippines and Bangladesh, the former being one of the first countries to recognize their independence in 1971.

In a separate meeting, the Vice President briefed Egyptian Ambassador Ahmed Shehabeldin about the Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP) 2030 and the challenges confronting the education sector in the country, and future direction. The Ambassador in turn shared his recommendations, particularly the importance of information technology to address the issue of access to education.

Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, meanwhile, informed the Vice President of the Israel Government’s initiatives in the areas of agriculture, water management, technology and innovation, and defense in the country especially in Mindanao. The Vice President thanked Israel for the assistance the country provided to the Philippines in these areas.

The Ambassador also expressed his hope to further strengthen bilateral relations between the Philippines and Israel through other projects and partnerships in areas of common interest to both countries.

The Philippines and Israel are celebrating 65 years of bilateral relations.

Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, PSM also expressed her intent to work closely with the Philippines on areas of common interest.

The Ambassador recognized the Philippines as the fifth largest bilateral program of Australia with education as one of the priority pillars.

Ambassador Yu informed the Vice President of ongoing projects of Australia in the Philippines in the sectors of peace, women and children, and disaster response. The Vice President expressed her appreciation for these initiatives.

Duterte, who currently leads the Department of Education, shared to the foreign envoys the BEDP 2030 — a long term direction of the sector that aims to resolve learning and performance gaps among education stakeholder to heighten the quality of basic education in the country.

OVP MEDIA