Australia donates A$17-M for M’danao

President Arroyo formally received a letter of commitment from the Australian government yesterday for a donation of A$17 million over the next five years for peace and development programs in Mindanao.

The Australian government’s contribution goes to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for Mindanao called Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace.

Outgoing Australian Ambassador Ruth Pearce turned over the letter of commitment to Mrs. Arroyo in her farewell call at Malacañang, which ends her three-year tour of duty in the Philippines.

Pearce was joined in the formal presentation of the letter by Deborah Lanley, UNDP’s resident representative in Manila, and presidential adviser Jesus Dureza, chairman of the Mindanao Development Council (MEDCO).

In a press briefing after her meeting with the President, Pearce said this latest commitment by Australia to the peace and development effort in Mindanao brings her country’s assistance to A$34.2 million since 1997, a year after the Philippine government entered into a peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Australia is committed to further support of the peace program in Mindanao once the Philippine government finalizes its peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"So there will be more (Australian aid) to come," Pearce said.

The outgoing lady ambassador of Australia was a tenant at the Oakwood residential tower in Makati City when it was seized by junior military officers in July 2003.

"That was one moment of fame," Pearce joked to Palace reporters.

It will be recalled that Pearce was served with a note verbale by the late Foreign Secretary Blas Ople after Australian Prime Minister John Howard criticized Mrs. Arroyo for ordering the pullout of a Filipino peacekeeping contingent from Iraq last July.

One of the staunchest allies of the United States in the war in Iraq, Australia scored the President for caving in to Iraqi terrorists who demanded the withdrawal of Filipino troops in exchange for the release of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz.

"I think my three years here have been exceptionally good years. I think the Philippines is a very friendly, accessible society... There may be a few tiny differences but it works as a system that is open and accessible," she said.

Pearce is leaving her post in the Philippines without being honored with the traditional diplomatic Sikatuna award. But at the Palace press briefing, Dureza honored Pearce with a plaque of appreciation from MEDCO on behalf of the people of Mindanao, recipients of much Australian aid during her stint at the embassy.

Tony Heny, the Australian High Commissioner in Ottawa, will replace Pearce as the new ambassador of Australia to the Philippines. Heny has served as ambassador to South Korea. — Marichu Villanueva