Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) — Mexico is looking at several areas of collaboration with the Philippines — particularly in alleviating natural disasters, attracting investments from overseas workers, and training Marines.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, Mexican ambassador to the Philippines Gerardo Lozano Arredondo said his country had developed “strategies to avoid negative impact of natural disasters.” He observed the Philippines had likewise developed such strategies after the super typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, in 2013.
“The idea is to join experts from both offices and to see how we can collaborate in projects that can allow us to exchange some good experiences,” said Lozano.
The ambassador also noted both countries “depend on the remittance of workers outside of the country.” He expressed hope that the two nations could help each other in bringing the “diaspora close to the country.”
“Mexico has some problems with the nationals living mainly in the United States, and inviting them to invest in the country and to collaborate,” Lozano confided.
Mexico received $27 billion in remittances in 2016, with most of the money coming from the United States. According to the Central Bank, the Philippines likewise received almost $27 billion in cumulative cash remittances as of December 2016.
Lozano also recalled a Mexican vessel’s visit in the Philippines last August, the first in around 200 years. He said the cultural experience allowed Mexican sailors to mingle with the Philippine Navy, and “they found a lot of similarities and interests.”
“They are planning to start a strong collaboration after the visit of the vessel, such as to send some Marines from Philippines to Mexico to attend a course at a Mexican Navy university,” said Lozano.
“In Mexico, they have some courses and they are planning to invite Filipinos to negotiate a collaboration program,” he added.
The Mexican Navy ship ARM Cuauhtemoc docked in the Philippines for a four-day goodwill visit.
Related: After 200 years, Mexican ship returns to PH
The ambassador also said Mexico was willing to welcome a Filipino Navy ship annually to stay for at least one year while Navy men take up the capacitation course.
Other possible areas of collaboration mentioned by the ambassador include the fight against poverty, tourism, and agriculture.
He also shared that the embassy offers of scholarships for further studies in Mexico.
Trade relations between Mexico and the Philippines go as far back as the Galleon trade, which ran from 1565 to 1815. Both countries were colonized by Spain.
In 2015, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto signed bilateral agreements with then-President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. The agreements covered tax, tourism, and cooperation against the drug trade.
