Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson (4th from left) received officials from the International College of Advanced Education, Alana Kaye College and the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce to discuss partnership projects on 28 October 2019. Philippine Honorary Consul General Januario John Rivas (3rd from right) helped facilitate the visit. (Photo courtesy of Hon Consul General Rivas.)

CANBERRA, Australia (08 November 2019) – Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega welcomed the report of Philippine Honorary Consul General in Darwin, Northern Territory Januario John Rivas on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson and vocational education and training providers in Darwin.

On 28 October, Governor Lacson signed separate MOUs with the International College of Advanced Education (ICAE) and the Alana Kaye College (AKC). The MOU formalizes a partnership between the provincial government and the education providers on an international study and work scholarship program. The government of Negros Occidental will provide the scholarship for five (5) students to take up Hospitality and Commercial Cookery in ICAE and ten (10) students to pursue Aged Care and Child Care in AKC.

The Ambassador said, “Northern Territory is a significant part of the historic friendship between the Philippines and Australia. Partnerships that will strengthen the people to people ties between our two countries will ensure that Northern Territory will continue to play an important role in the future of the relations.”

The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce also extended an invitation to Governor Lacson to host the Australia Asia Regional Business Forum in 2020. -- END