Australian ambassador highlights growing Australia-Iloilo partnership

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Marc Innes-Brown highlighted the growing partnership between Australia and Iloilo City following his meeting with Mayor Raisa S. Treñas on Thursday.

The Ambassador said they discussed the city’s priority programs, particularly in education and health, as well as development assistance, micro-grants, and Australian scholarships for Filipino students.

“The fact that I am here and that we have quite a lot of engagement in the recent years, I think that Iloilo is an important part of our relationship with the Philippines,” he said in a press conference.

“The relationship is at a high point as we celebrate 80 years, but we’re ambitious, and we want to do more. The embassy’s working hard to keep growing a relationship in different areas whether it’s economic, cultural, security,” he added.

The Ambassador also conveyed Australia’s strong support for the Philippines amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Ambassador Innes-Brown also took note of Iloilo City’s rich history and culture, as well as its international recognitions, including the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award and UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

“This is a great city. It’s not often that cities in Philippines, or anywhere else, even in Australia, win these types of awards. And so you must be doing something right,” he said, quipping that he might come back with his family.

To recall, Iloilo City hosted a major Philippines-Australia Friendship Day celebration in 2023. (Iloilo City PIO)