Australian Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines Richard Sisson paid a courtesy visit to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) on July 30, 2021.
DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services (ARMSS) Melvin B. Carlos, Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development (R&D) Feliciano G. Calora, Jr., and Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division (PCMD) Director Lilian G. Bondoc welcomed the Deputy Ambassador and other delegates from the Australian Embassy, Mr. Rollie Dela Cruz and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Ms. Mai Alagcan.
In his welcome message, Dr. Ebora reiterated the deep and long standing partnership of Australia and the Philippines through ACIAR and DOST-PCAARRD. He also mentioned that, through the years, the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Australia has been grounded on shared interests and values and supported by strong people-to-people links. A testament to that is the growing human resource of esteemed Filipino scholars and experts trained and honed in Australia through the ACIAR-PCAARRD partnership. He also assured the Deputy Ambassador of DOST-PCAARRD’s active cooperation and commitment to nurture its partnership with ACIAR.
Dr. Ebora further expressed his appreciation for the visit by saying, “We are always honored whenever the Embassy visits us because it shows how Australia values its partners; we, likewise, value such sentiment by continuously striving to conduct innovative research benefiting both countries.”
Video presentations of the DOST-PCAARRD story and the result of almost four decades of the ACIAR-PCAARRD partnership were highly appreciated by the guests. Deputy Ambassador Sisson expressed his optimism and enthusiasm in getting to know DOST-PCAARRD as an institution. He was also impressed on how the ACIAR-PCAARRD partnership flourished over the years and expressed his commitment to strengthen AUS-PH diplomatic relations during his term in the Philippines.
DOST-PCAARRD and ACIAR will continue to work together and explore innovative ways to deliver agricultural research for development in the Philippines and in the region for more years to come. These joint initiatives will support the Philippine government’s broader thrust in enhancing local scientific and technological leadership and expertise in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector.
