Australia’s top diplomat to visit Haiyan-hit Leyte

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

In her two-day visit, at stake is the plight of over 391,700 Filipinos in Australia

VISITING ASIA. In this file photo, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop talks to media at the sixth Bali Democracy Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Nov 8, 2013. EPA/Made Nagi

MANILA, Philippines – The top diplomat of Australia, one of the countries that first helped the Philippines after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), will visit the devastated province of Leyte in her first trip to the Philippines.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will arrive in the Philippines on Saturday, December 7, for a two-day visit, according to the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a statement, the DFA said Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario will meet with Bishop to discuss Australian aid after Yolanda. Bishop “plans to visit the typhoon-affected areas, particularly the province of Leyte,” the DFA said.

Australia has pledged P1.32 billion in aid for Yolanda survivors, according to Philippine government records. That’s almost 6% of the P22.07 billion pledged by all international donors.

“Australia, as a close friend of the Philippines, is saddened by the loss of life and damage to homes and property in the wake of this tragedy,” Bishop said in an earlier statement.

Touring Asia

During the two-day visit, Bishop will also discuss with Del Rosario bilateral ties between the two countries, as well as other regional concerns.

Over 391,700 Filipinos live in Australia. That’s around 3.7% of the 10.49 million Filipinos overseas, according to the latest estimate by the Philippines’ Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

On the other hand, up to 3,360 Australians live in the Philippines, according to Philippine statistics on foreign citizens.

Bishop is also visiting other countries in Asia. (READ: Australian FM heads to Indonesia, China after spying row.)

On Thursday, December 5, she will hold talks with Indonesia to help repair ties strained by a spying row and draw up a code of ethics to govern relations.

She will also visit China, where relations are likewise on edge after Canberra’s criticism of Beijing’s new air defense identification zone, which covers East China Sea islands disputed with Japan.

Bishop, Australia’s first female foreign minister, assumed office last September 18. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

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Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Paterno R. Esmaquel II, news editor of Rappler, specializes in covering religion and foreign affairs. He finished MA Journalism in Ateneo and MSc Asian Studies (Religions in Plural Societies) at RSIS, Singapore. For story ideas or feedback, email pat.esmaquel@rappler.com