GOVPH

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

PRESS RELEASE

PHILIPPINES STRENGTHENS PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES IN VORARLBERG

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas discusses strengthening people-to-people ties with Regional Parliament President Harald Sonderegger during her working visit in Vorarlberg on 29 November 2024

02 December 2024, Vienna - The close people-to-people cooperation between the Philippines and the Austrian region of Vorarlberg was highlighted during the working visit of the Philippine Embassy in Vienna to Vorarlberg on 29 November 2024. Vorarlberg is the westernmost state of Austria, closer to Zurich in Switzerland than to Vienna, Austria’s capital.

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas met with Regional Parliament President Harald Sonderegger where they agreed to increase the partnership between the Philippines and Vorarlberg in trade and investment, labor, culture, inter-parliamentary, and people-to-people exchanges. Amb. Bernas was accompanied by Honorary Consul Dr. Christian Traweger and Consul Ms. Candy Cypres-Bauzon.

Ambassador Bernas mentioned the long-standing friendship between Filipinos and Austrians, highlighting the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Filipino nurses in Vorarlberg this year. “The Filipino community, particularly Filipino nurses, played a crucial role in the healthcare system in Vorarlberg. We hope to work with the regional government on programs that will ensure the protection of the welfare of newly-arrived Filipino workers and help them integrate smoothly into their new host country,” she said.

Mr. Sonderegger welcomed the visit of the Ambassador to the region, recognizing the significant contribution of the Filipino community in Vorarlberg’s economic and social life. “The Filipino community is an integral part of Vorarlberg. We are keen to continue our close collaboration with the Philippines by enhancing our cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” he said. END.

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas signs the guest book of the Regional Parliament of Vorarlberg during her working in Vorarlberg on 29 November 2024.

PRESS RELEASE

PHILIPPINES TALKS LABOR, TOURISM COOPERATION WITH ALPINE REGION TYROL IN AUSTRIA

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas talks about the existing labor agreement between the Philippines and Austria during her meeting with Innsbruck Vice Mayor Georg Willi on 28 November 2024 at the Innsbruck Rathaus. Honorary Consul Dr. Christian Traweger based in Innsbruck accompanied Amb. Bernas.

02 December 2024, Vienna - Consistent with its ongoing efforts to boost bilateral economic ties with Austria, the Philippine Embassy in Vienna discussed further opportunities for collaboration between the Philippines and the Austrian region of Tyrol during a working visit on 28 November 2024.

During her visit, Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas spoke with Innsbruck Vice Mayor Georg Willi and Tyrol State Councillor Mario Gerber, emphasizing the Philippines’ remarkable economic performance which makes it a vibrant destination for Austrian investments. They talked about potential collaboration in trade and investment, tourism, labor, culture, education and people-to-people exchanges. The Philippine delegation included Consul Candy Cypres-Bauzon and Honorary Consul Dr. Christian Traweger. 

The Tyrolean officials mentioned their urgent need for skilled workers in the healthcare and hospitality sectors. The officials discussed ways to facilitate employment opportunities for Filipino workers in Tyrol within the framework of the labor agreement between the two countries signed last year. 

Ambassador Bernas stressed the need to revive the tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Austria, including sharing best practices on sustainable tourism. The Philippine Department of Tourism and the Federal State of Tyrol signed a tourism agreement in 2007 and a Letter of Intent in 2015 which provided scholarships for Filipino tourism students to study in Innsbruck and offered Austrian students with training opportunities in Philippine resorts. Amb. Bernas also met with representatives from Tyrol's travel agencies to explore ways to promote the Philippines as a destination for Austrian tourists. END.

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas raises the MOU between the Philippine Department of Tourism and the State of Tyrol on Tourism Cooperation signed in 2007 which provided scholarship grants to Filipino tourism students during her meeting with Tyrol State Councillor Mario Gerber on 28 November 2024 at the Tyrol Landesrat.

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas with Innsbruck Vice Mayor Georg Willi during her working visit to Tyrol on 28 November 2024.

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas with Tyrol State Councillor Mario Gerber during her working visit to Tyrol on 28 November 2024.

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas (center)  with Philippine Consul, a.h. Christian Traweger (left) and Tyrol State Councillor Mario Gerber (right) during the Ambassador’s working visit to Tyrol on 28 November 2024.

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas meets with the representatives of the travel agencies in Tirol during her working visit to Tyrol on 28 November 2024.

Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas with the representatives of the travel agencies in Tirol during her working visit to Tyrol on 28 November 2024.