President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is embarking on a trip to New Zealand and Australia to expand trade, increase security cooperation and foster closer cultural relations.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leaves on Sunday afternoon for a four-day visit to New Zealand and Australia to further expand trade, increase security cooperation and foster closer cultural relations between the Philippines and those two countries.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the President will discuss with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark "a range of issues, including Interfaith Dialogue," a vital component of the peace process in Mindanao.

In Australia, the President will discuss with Prime Minister John Howard "issues that affect defense cooperation between our countries," Bunye said in a statement.

President Arroyo will be in New Zealand from May 28 to 30, during which she will also meet with the Filipino community there.

From Auckland, the President will proceed to Canberra for a state visit to Australia until May 31.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived here this morning in chilly and windy weather and was treated to a lively repertoire of indigenous rituals and cultural ceremonies upon her disembarkation at the Wellington Airport.

The airport welcome party included Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Bienvenido Tejano, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines David Pine, New Zealand Royal Navy Commander Tony Hayes, and New Zealand Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Dr. John McArthur.

From the airport, the President’s party proceeded to the Government House where she is billeted for her three-day stay here.

Upon her arrival at the Government House, the President was introduced by New Zealand Chief of Protocol Warren Searell to the heads of mission to New Zealand of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member countries.

She also met with several members of the Filipino community here.

At the Government House, the President was also introduced by Mr. Andrew Renton-Green, official secretary to Governor General Anand Satyanand, to the leaders of the Maori cultural group and New Zealand Defense Force Warrant Officer Doug Wallace, who, after rubbing foreheads with the President, explained the elements of the "Powhiri," or the Maori welcome ceremony.

The ceremony started with the "Wero," where three male warriors performed an intimidating and challenging movements with rants, huffs, body, eye, and tongue movements, starting with the offering of a dart in front of the President.

Upon the signal of the Maori leader, the dart was picked up by the President's "right hand man," this time by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, who handed the dart to the President.

The warriors then performed the "whakawaha" (clearing movement) slapping their thighs to signal that the visiting party may enter the area.

The shrill, wailing call of the "Karanga" (call of welcome) greeted the President and her party, and all the Maori group performed the "Haka Powhiri" (dance of welcome), a dance of excitement and joy with body, tongue and eye movements.

The leader of the Maori group, then introduced the President to the members of the cultural group where the President was invited to do the "Hongi," or the traditional rubbing of foreheads. Originally, the hongi is performed by first rubbing foreheads, noses, and the passing of bread or food through the mouth.

The President was then escorted by Mr. Renton-Green to the center of the lawn where she was officially welcomed by Governor General Satyanand and wife Susan Satyanand.

What followed was the full military honors for the President, complete with 21-gun salute accorded to a visiting head of state where the President made an inspection of the Royal Guards.  

The President and the Governor General then proceeded to the Drawing Room of the Government House for their first meeting.

I am honored to share the podium with Prime Minister Helen Clark in a reaffirmation of the deep ties and shared values between New Zealand and the Philippines.

The Prime Minister and I are focused on broader collaboration on environmental management, human rights, indigenous peoples’ welfare, good governance, as well as the great potential of bilateral commerce.

New Zealand under Helen Clark’s vision leads the way in regional Interfaith Dialogue. I am here as a follower and participant to promote interfaith collaboration in education, security, social development and media.

Interfaith dialogue is not just an abstract theory, rather a major contributor to peace and stability in the historically-troubled South Philippine region. In Mindanao, we have taken steps to bring interfaith forces to bear upon a peace process that has resulted in a three-year ceasefire and monumental strides in economic growth. I extol New Zealand’s role in the Mindanao Trust Fund.

And in broader geo-political relations where New Zealand plays a major role, East Asia has been on a determined journey of consolidation since last year. As Chair of ASEAN I have witnessed the warming of ties between ASEAN, China and Japan within the context of common prosperity and collective security.

East Asia is coming of age in this Millennium as a global leader for equitable trade with a clear social dividend and solid security with a soft touch. Our relations with New Zealand are incorporated in this paradigm.

New Zealand brings to East Asia her profound and relentless commitment to human rights and the environment, peace and interfaith dialogue. She brings to the table the soft strategies that guarantee peace, reinforcing the hard elements such as joint military training and law enforcement operations that we share with allies like Australia and the United States.

I am grateful for the Philippines’ environmental cooperation with New Zealand, especially in forestry. I am proud of the success of the Bukidnon Reforestation Project and I look forward to your assistance to the Caraga Forest Plantation Project. Every tree planted grants a sustained livelihood, eases global warming and saves lives. I have launched a Green Philippines initiative to develop an environmental blueprint for our nation for the next 100 years. I could use the help and assistance of New Zealand in this daunting task.

The Philippines’ commitment to fighting poverty is as strong as building a just and humane society based on freedom and democracy. We are a State Party to all seven core human rights treaties and we have abolished the death penalty.

I share with Prime Minister Clark a keen devotion to human rights, and I share her concern for putting an end to the political violence that has plagued the Philippines for generations. We have never condoned and we condemn the killing of journalists, party-list members, or activists. We live in a vibrant democracy that is validated through an electoral process that is free, fair and reflective of the people’s will. We welcome the assistance of New Zealand as we have Europe and the international community at large to work with us in an open and transparent way to advance human rights in the Philippines and around the world.

I underscore the Philippines’ intention to carry forward the theme of "One Caring and Sharing Community" hammered out in an regional charter that will transform ASEAN into a rules-based organization that can unite to defeat terror and poverty as well as help to improve the human security situation in countries such as Myanmar.

Speaking as ASEAN Chair, it is my keen interest to see progress on the current impasse on the ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue on this issue.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark witnessed today the signing of two bilateral agreements between the Philippines and New Zealand on the conservation of natural resources and combatting transnational crimes.

The signing of the two accords, which marked the more than 40 years of cooperation between the two countries, took place after the two leaders held their bilateral and expanded bilateral meetings this morning at the Cabinet Room of the Parliament House here.

The agreement between the New Zealand Police and the Philippine National Police (PNP) was signed by PNP Director General Oscar Calderon and New Zealand Police Commissioner Howard Broad.

The agreement to strengthen environmental management and protection, on the other hand, was signed by Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes and his New Zealand counterpart at the Ground Floor Theatrette of the Parliament House.

President Arroyo, who is on a three-day visit here, said the agreement on combating transnational crimes such as drugs and human smuggling and trafficking, and money laundering guarantees peace not only in the Philippines but in the whole region as well.

She also thanked New Zealand for its environmental assistance to the Philippines such as the successful Bukidnon Plantation Project. The President told Clark that the country is looking forward to continuing assistance from New Zealand in forest plantation.

"Every tree planted grants a sustained livelihood, eases global warming and saves lives," she said.

The President informed Clark and her Cabinet members on the Philippines' "billion trees initiative" to develop an environmental blueprint for the next 100 years.  

Clark, meanwhile said the Human Rights Commission of both the Philippines and New Zealand have initiated dialogues to share their experiences and support initially with the holding of human rights-based training for the PNP and even the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today she is looking forward to heightened trade activities between the Philippines and New Zealand, citing the big growth potential of the two countries’ two-way commerce.

The President, who arrived here today on the first leg of a five-day, two-nation overseas trip to bolster trade and bilateral relations between the Philippines and her host countries, said she discussed this morning with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark the possibility of processing New Zealand’s milk exports in the Philippines.

Also on the agenda of the discussions were greater cooperation between the Philippines and New Zealand on environmental management, human rights and indigenous people’s welfare.

The two leaders also discussed possible air services linkage to boost tourism between the two countries.

The Philippines is the fourth biggest market for dairy products from New Zealand, and the second biggest market for New Zealand’s milk export.

The processing of New Zealand’s milk exports in the Philippines would reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries now enjoyed by the former.

"Today, we were discussing how some of the milk processing can be done in the Philippines," the President said.

Last year, New Zealand was the Philippines' 25^th trading partner, 30th export market, and ranked 22nd as an import market.

The value of RP exports to New Zealand increased by 36.52 percent from US$38.86 million in 2005 to $53.06 million in 2006 with the bulk of exports being food products and electronics.

On the other hand, imports from New Zealand declined by 1.75 percent from US$276.25 million in 2005 to $271.41 million in 2006. Eighty percent of Philippine imports from New Zealand consisted of food items, mainly dairy products and bird's eggs.

Clark said the Philippines has become an important trade partner for New Zealand and is now its 12^th biggest market with two-way trade worth more than NZ$650 million last year.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged today overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) here to become overseas Filipino investors (OFIs) by investing in their home country to
further spur commerce and development. 

The President made the pitch in her meeting with members of the Filipino community this afternoon at the official residence of Ambassador to New Zealand Bienvenido Tejano at 5 Bristol Place in Karori, Wellington. 

"Inaalok natin na kayong mga OFW ay maging OFI at gamitin ang inyong mga inipon bilang puhunan sa paghahanda sa kinabukasan ninyo at ng inyong pamilya," the President said. 

At present, increasing OFW remittances are being used to increase human resource capital with their investments in real estate, housing, financial and capital investments such as in the stock market, government bonds and treasury bills, mutual funds and small businesses, she added. 

The President pointed out that her trips abroad are necessary to attract more investments and create more jobs towards the realization of a competitive and  modernized Philippines. 

She said the implementation of government reforms is concentrated on the development of the economy and the super regions in
the hope that one day, "going abroad to look for jobs is an option and not the only choice for Filipinos."
Now is the best time to invest in the country, the President said, stressing that the Philippine economy has become resilient and mature enough, undaunted even with the apprehensions brought by the conduct of the May 14 mid-term elections.  

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday made a strong pitch for the promotion of interfaith dialogue to bring about lasting peace, political stability and economic growth in Asia.

In a statement, the President asserted that far from being an abstract theory, interfaith dialogue is a "major contributor to peace and stability in the historically-troubled South Mindanao region."

"In Mindanao, we have taken steps to bring interfaith forces to bear upon a peace process that has resulted in a three-year ceasefire and monumental strides in economic growth," she SAID.

Extolling New Zealand’s role in the Mindanao Trust Fund, the President also hailed the key role New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark plays in fostering interfaith dialogue in the resolution of conflicts, the promotion of peace and economic growth.

The Mindanao Trust Fund is intended for the development of Mindanao.

"I am here as a follower and participant to promote interfaith collaboration in education, security, social development and media," she said

The President said that apart from its assistance to Mindanao, New Zealand plays a major role in East Asia’s "determined journey of consolidation since last year."

"As chair of the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), I have witnessed the warming of ties between Asean, China and Japan within the context of common prosperity and collective security," she said.

She pointed out that "East Asia is coming of age in this millennium as a global leader for equitable trade with a clear social dividend and solid security with a soft touch. Our relations with New Zealand are incorporated in this paradigm."

From this amount, the biggest beneficiary is the environment sector with $1 billion going to a reforestation project, $150 million in a gold mining deal, $40 million for the local wood processing industry, and $30 million for the export of Philippine tropical fruits to New Zealand.

Alvarez said the $1 billion reforestation project which President Arroyo announced during the meeting with the Filipino community here would be financed by CK Tan of Shannolane who is based in New Zealand. The reforestation project in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur is scheduled to start as early as October this year.

In an earlier interview, Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes said hardwood species for lumber takes some 30 years to mature in New Zealand due to winter compared to only 15 years in the Philippines.

Reyes said the $150 million gold mine investment in Nueva Vizcaya was reiterated by Mr. Stephen Orr, CEO of Oceana Gold United, during his courtesy call on the President in Wellington Monday.

Reyes said Filipino mine workers are now currently training here and studying Oceana’s eco-friendly mining methodology.

Reyes said New Zealanders are also keen on bringing in raw lumber for processing in the Philippines that would greatly benefit the local wood processing industry.

Antonio Olizon, chairman of the Philippine Wood Producers Association, who is a member of the President's official delegation, said the local wood industry would gain some $40 million from processing raw lumber from New Zealand.

Olizon said businessmen here were enticed by the Philippines' proximity to Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan aside from being known as one of the world's top exporters of wood products.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said some $30 million worth of bananas, mangoes, and pineapples would be exported here as a result of the President's visit.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who is accompanying President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her five-day trip to New Zealand and Australia, briefed members of the Philippine media on the key features of the agreement during Mrs. Arroyo’s tour of the company’s facility near the Auckland international airport this morning, capping her four-day visit to New Zealand.

From the SHFC complex, the President went straight to the airport for the trip to Canberra, Australia on the second leg of her two-nation Asian trip.

Also with the President were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Ambassador to New Zealand Bien Tejano.

SHFC officials led by Global Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin Jackson, General Manager Pierre Van Heerden, General Manager for Exports Dean Powrie, Marketing Manager Mark Roper and Nutrition Services Manager Kim Stirling welcomed the President.

Yap said the agreement with SHFC is part of the $30-million Philippine agriculture export package consisting of fresh and processed agro-fishery products signed during the President’s visit to New Zealand.

Under the agreement, the DA would facilitate SHFC’s linkup with Filipino suppliers who can meet the market and production requirements of the New Zealand health food company.

"We can pursue the sale of fresh and processed fruit and fruit products from the Philippines like mangoes, bananas and banana chips, nuts and desiccated coconut with SHFC, which is a leading supplier of breakfast
cereals and health food products," Yap said.

SHFC is a leading maker of quality, healthy and plant-based foods such as breakfast cereals and vegetarian products.

Founded in 1898, SHFC’s flagship product, Weet-Bix, has remained a top seller in the Australian and New Zealand breakfast cereal market for almost 40 years now.

As the first Philippine President to visit Australia in over ten years, I am deeply honored to be here to forge even deeper economic, security and cultural ties that will bring our nations even closer together.

As Chair of ASEAN, I am also deeply grateful for the leadership role that Australia plays to advance the interests of the entire region. At a time of uncertainty in the world, it is now more important than ever to build new alliances on a bilateral and multilateral basis to ensure greater political, economic and military security.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo disclosed this to some 200 members of the Filipino community who came from as far as Sydney and Melbourne and warmly welcomed the Chief Executive and her delegation at the Philippine Embassy at No. 1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla here this afternoon.  

Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, who will sign the accord in behalf of the Philippine government, said the agreement is but an initiative that has still to be concurred in by both the Australian House of Parliament and the Philippine Congress.

Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ernesto de Leon led the President’s welcomers at the Philippine Embassy.

The President and her delegation arrived from New Zealand at 4:00 p.m at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Fairbairn here and was given full military honors accorded to a visiting head of state. 

The President was welcomed by Governor General Michael Jeffery of the Commonwealth of Australia and Deputy Prime Minister and concurrent Minister of Trade Mark Vaile, among others.

After the arrival honors, the President proceeded to the Philippine embassy and planted a red maple tree at the embassy grounds, the second Philippine head of state to do so after President Fidel Ramos in 1995.   

Incidentally, the embassy edifice had been inaugurated in 1964 during the term of President Arroyo’s father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal.

Although formal diplomatic relations with Australia started in 1946, the President noted that her visit marks some 200 years of informal relations with Australia. 

Since the 1800s, the President said Australian milk had reached the Philippines.  

At the embassy reception, the President thanked the estimated 150,000 Filipinos in Australia for their remittances and investments, particularly in real estate and housing. 

The President said the yearly remittances of some eight million overseas Filipinos now reach $13 billion, while 40 percent of the boom in real estate and housing comes from the investments of OFWs. 

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Australian Prime Minister John Howard witnessed the historic signing of the agreement by Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and his counterpart Defense Minister Brendan Nelson at the Parliament House here.  

The SOVFA provides a comprehensive legal framework that sets down the rights, responsibilities and procedures to support the temporary activities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defense Forces (ADF) such as the conduct of training and exercises in each other's territories. 

The new agreement, the second for the Philippines after the VFA with the United States, is expected to enhance defense and counter-terrorism capabilities of both countries, aside from the conduct of education and training, capacity-building, and humanitarian and disaster/relief assistance. 

As part of its ratification process, the SOVFA has to be concurred by both the Australian House of Parliament and the Philippine Congress before it becomes operational. 

In her joint press conference with Prime Minister Howard at the Courtyard of the Parliament House, the President said one of the clearer provisions of the SOVFA is on criminal jurisdiction which takes into account the rules of court of the receiving country. 

"We will respect the rights of the plaintiff, we will respect the rights of the accused, and we will follow the due process of the law," the President said.  "When it comes to any criminal case, it is not really the executive that has the final say, it is the judiciary and they are constitutionally independent." 

The President said the agreement would help professionalize and enhance the interoperability of the AFP and develop intelligence fusion between both militaries, including the fight against terrorism. 

In case of conviction or the mere issuance of a warrant, Ebdane said the rules of court of the receiving country would have control and jurisdiction. 

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Australian Prime Minister John Howard witnessed the signing after their meeting and expanded bilateral meeting at the Parliament House here. 

Signing the agreement were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and his counterpart Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer.

It was agreed upon that Australia's aid would focus on areas of high priority for the Philippines, where Australia's expertise and experience will have the strongest impact.  Under the strategy, Australia would help the Philippines maintain its progress on fiscal management, investment in infrastructure, and better income-generating opportunities for the poor. 

Australia would also help improve access to school and better teaching methods, particularly for all children in the Visayas and Mindanao.   Australia would also work with Philippine institutions and communities to support peace in Mindanao, improve capacity to counter threats from transnational crime, and strengthen disaster preparedness. 

Acknowledging the commitment of the Philippines to address human rights concerns, both countries also agreed to work together to identify further practical assistance that Australia may be able to provide to key institutions dealing with human rights.

The Philippines welcomed Australia's significant increase in its official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines from 2007-2008 amounting to P3.96 billion (A$100.6 million), compared to the P2.7 billion last year.      

Based on needs and performance, further annual increases are expected over the strategy's five years. 

In a statement, Downer noted that economic growth in the Philippines has risen yearly to over five percent over the past three years.

"Australia is a major ally and strong economic partner of the Philippines. Our friendship has been forged on the anvil of history from the battles of World War II and now the war against terror. It is an honor to be here to forge even deeper economic, security and cultural ties that bring our nations even closer together," the President said during her joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister John Howard this morning at the Courtyard of the Parliament House here. 

The President said the help of Australia and other allies significantly contributed to the containment of the spread of terrorism through the conduct of trainings and cooperation, interfaith dialogues, and other programs in particular to reduce poverty in vulnerable recruitment areas of terrorists.

"We are vigilant to the terrorist threat and we welcome the power and resources of our allies like Australia. Our allies help us root out and destroy these vicious killers who ply their dislocated and evil ideology on the innocent," the President stressed.

"As current chair of ASEAN, we are also grateful for the leadership role that Australia plays to advance the interest of the entire region," she said. 

For his part, Howard reciprocated by citing the Philippines' successful campaign against terrorist threats and extremism.

"There had been specifically successful steps taken against terrorism by the Philippines. Working very closely with Australia and other countries, we think real major progress has been made," Howard said.  

"It is not easy but the numbers had been contained and many areas reduced. And my general impression is that the Philippines has been quite successful in recent times in the fight against terrorism," he added.

Howard said the historic signing today of the Australia-Philippines Status of Visiting Forces Agreement would further strengthen cooperation to combat the ever-present threat of terrorism. 

"But I know the President is not complacent and none of us can afford to be. And greater cooperation, in particular training exercises involving counter-terrorism that will come out of this strategic and important agreement would be widely welcome by most of the Australians," Howard said.

The President said building new alliances would foster unity and cooperation towards the attainment of peace, stability, and economic growth in the region.