PRESS RELEASE
WDC-11-2023
27 MARCH 2023
Embassy Press and Information Section
info@phembassy-us.org
WASHINGTON D.C. – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez presented his credentials today as non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to His Excellency Cornelius A. Smith, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
During their bilateral meeting, both officials expressed interest to further strengthen bilateral labor cooperation, including through a possible memorandum of understanding.
Ambassador Romualdez thanked the government of Bahamas for the kind hospitality extended to Filipinos living and working in the country, and for ensuring their safety and well-being.
He specifically expressed gratitude for the Bahamas’ cooperation and understanding during the difficult years of 2020 and 2021, at the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. The Bahamas also facilitated the transit of Filipino workers from the British Virgin Islands in July 2020, in order to join the British Airways airbridge flight from Cayman to London, and onwards to Manila.
“We appreciate the actions of your labor authorities in addressing some of the concerns of our workers with respect to their work conditions and arrangements due to the border closures. Our workers have survived, hand in hand with your people, quite a number of devastating hurricanes, especially Hurricane Dorian in 2019. We will always be grateful for your continued support and care for all Filipinos living and working in your islands,” he said.
While in the Bahamas, Ambassador Romualdez also met with Prime Minister Philip Davis, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rhoda Jackson, and members of the Filipino community in Nassau, led by Philippine Honorary Consul Dr. Leo Ignacio.
The Philippines and the Bahamas will celebrate 47 years of diplomatic relations this year. ###
