Duterte vows to support development of Papua New Guinea

PORT MORESBY — President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to help Papua New Guinea in its development efforts and thanked its government for hosting the 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. 

"We will send vocational skills training (through) TESDA (Technical and Education Skills Authority). Governor, we are willing to help your livelihood projects here. 

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. 

Duterte to Filipino workers: Love Papua New Guinea

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 a work here to earn money for your family and to send it some of you. 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 admired 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. 

Agriculture deal

Before Duterte's meeting with the Filipino community, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea signed a five-year memorandum of agreement for greater cooperation on agriculture.

The agreement was signed by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and his Papua New Guinean counterpart Benny Allan.

The areas of cooperation under the agreement include tie-up on rice and grain production such as the 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 on 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.

It will also involve cooperation on investment in agriculture, exchange of professionals, scientists, and technicians, transfer of genetic materials and technology, exchange of scientific and technical information, and collaboration on studies and research.

Manila and Port Moresby can also organize workshops, symposia, training courses, and exhibition on agriculture. Under the deal, the sending country shall will shoulder the expenses for international travels and related costs while the receiving state  will pay for the expenses related to transportation and board and lodging.

Duterte advised Papua New Guinean government not to allow multinational firms to encroach in its agriculture because it would threaten its food production. 

"You know Governor, most of the lands in the Philippines are not food crop. There are no more lands where we can plant to eat the palay. It’s overtaken by multinationals. Be careful about that," the Philippine leader said. 

"Do not allow the encroachment of multinationals because at the end of the day, what you would get is the salary of your people and yet the bulk...of the money goes to the company and goes everywhere... So just do not allow big money to enter. You take time to develop," he added. 

Philippine officials also visited last Friday the 25-hectare Philippines-Papua New Guinea Rice Demonstration Farm located inside the Pacific Adventist University outside Port Moresby. The leased facility seeks to establish a model seed farm that can become a source of certified rice seeds for commercial and smallholder farmers of Papua New Guinea.

The demo farm was visited by Piñol, presidential communications secretary Martin Andanar and presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.