Duterte vows to help Papua New Guinea development

PORT MORESBY — President Duterte has vowed to help Papua New Guinea in its development efforts and thanked its government for hosting more than 40,000 Filipinos here.

Duterte said his administration was willing to support Papua New Guinea’s efforts to spur development by building schools and providing livelihood projects. He said Papua New Guineans could take advantage of the expertise of “bright” and “very industrious” Filipinos, most of whom are working here in the services and agriculture sectors.

“We can come here, we can establish schools and if you want a university. And we are good at that. We will try to help you,” the President said during his meeting with the Filipino community last Friday here.

“We need to develop and develop well Papua New Guinea. We are willing to help,” he added.

Duterte said the assistance to be given by the Philippines would reciprocate the kindness extended by Papua New Guineans to Filipino migrant workers. He vowed to send vocational skills training to Papua New Guinea through Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA.

“Maybe the next generation would be at least receptive of, you know, improvement,” the President said, referring to East Sepik governor Allan Bird, who was present during the event.

“But I commit to you that... I have heard that most of our countrymen are treated well and respected... But we are ready to build schools, ask teachers to come here and help in the education of your young people,” he added.

The President cited the role of Filipino migrant workers in promoting growth, noting that their remittances are “enriching” the economy.

“You know you should love Papua New Guinea. One is that, you have work here to earn money for your family… It is part of the cycle... the money that you send – how many centavos – enriches the economy by so much,” he said. 

“So you should be thankful. And I really thank you governor and the prime minister that you have accommodated us and I’ve heard that you have treated us very well.”

Duterte also expressed admiration for the simple living of people here and joked that he would stay in this island nation once his term ends.

“Maybe after the end of my term, I will catch the next available flight to reach Papua New Guinea. I will hide there... I’m sure the governor can arrange for a simple living there,” he said.

Before Duterte’s meeting with the Filipino community, agriculture chief Emmanuel Piñol and his Papua New Guinean counterpart Benny Allan signed a five-year memorandum of agreement on greater cooperation on agriculture.

The areas of cooperation under the agreement include tie-up on rice and grain production such as development of hybrid species; production of coconut, cocoa, coffee, rubber and palm oil; horticulture production; aquaculture and inland fish farming; post-harvest development; livestock breeding, and improvement in breeding cattle and goat.

The agreement also covers training in bio-security mechanism and systems for monitoring including sanitary and phytosanitary measures, agribusiness development, infrastructure development like irrigation facilities and abattoirs; and, agricultural research, education and training.