Press Release - Privilege Speech of Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations of UAE and Philippines

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues,

I rise today to honor a significant milestone - the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.

On this day in 1974, the diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates were formally established. Today marks half a century of friendship, cooperation, and people-to-people relations, anchored on mutual respect between the two nations.

In recognition of this significant milestone, this representation filed Senate Bill No. 2556 or "AN ACT DECLARING THE 19TH OF AUGUST OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL DAY FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE "PHILIPPINES - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FRIENDSHIP DAY". The measure seeks to declare every 19th of August as a Special Day for the Commemoration of the Philippines-United Arab Emirates Friendship Day. I urge this August chamber to immediately tackle and pass this measure.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the people of the United Arab Emirates have proven many times that they are indeed a friend and a steadfast ally in times of need. To cite a few instances where they have shown overflowing generosity, the UAE provided invaluable humanitarian aid to the Philippines, from assisting victims of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 to being the first to respond with aid following the Mayon Volcano eruption in 2023. Their generosity continued during the COVID-19 pandemic when they donated vaccines, RT-PCR machines, and other essential medical supplies.

Just last July 30, through the efforts of my partner for life and now Special Envoy of the President to the United Arab Emirates for Trade and Investment Mrs. Kat Pimentel, the UAE government provided 80 tons of relief goods for the victims of Super Typhoon Carina and the "Habagat."

The donations consist of 2,464 packs or bags of 900-gram milk powder, 5-kg wheat flour, 400-gram tea powder, 5-kg rice, 1.5-ltr cooking oil, 1-kg red lentils, 1-kg peas, etcetera [1-kg dates, 375-mg tang powder, 500-gram oats, 850-mg tomato paste, 2-kg sugar, and 1-kg salt.] The donations also include 4,928 packs and cans of 400-gram pasta, 400-gram sweet corn, 400-gram