Bohol, Philippines – A delegation of young political leaders from different parties in Australia visited Bohol on Monday, August 21, 2023, as part of the Australian Political Exchange Council (APEC) program.
The APEC program aims to foster mutual understanding and cooperation between the political systems and cultures of Australia and other countries through exchanges of young political leaders.
The visiting delegates were:
- The Honorable (Ms) Laura Curran MLC, Member of the Legislative Council (South Australia)
- The Honorable (Mr) Peter Foster MLC, Member of the Legislative Council (Western Australia)
- Councilor (Mr) Joseph Haweil, Mayor of Hume City
- Mr Andrew Scott, Acting Assistant State Director (Victoria)
- Ms Michelle Hofmann, Principal Solicitor – Hofmann Legal
- Ms Emily Bailey, Ministerial Liaison, Western Australian Government
- Mr Connor Costello, Representative of the APEC
- Ms Liza Castaneda and Mr Norman Cualteros, Representatives of the Philippine Center of Young Leaders in Governance
The delegation was welcomed by Bohol Rep. Edgar Chatto, who expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the visit.
“Welcome to Bohol visiting delegates of the Australian Political Exchange Council composed of young political leaders from different parties in Australia! We are honored and delighted to have you here and share with you the beauty and culture of our province,” Chatto said in a statement.
Chatto also highlighted the importance of strengthening the ties between the Philippines and Australia, especially in the areas of trade, tourism, education, and security.
“We value our friendship and partnership with Australia, which is one of our major trading partners and sources of foreign tourists. We also appreciate the support and assistance that Australia has extended to us in various fields, such as disaster relief, peace-building, and human rights. We hope that this exchange program will further enhance our mutual understanding and cooperation for the benefit of our peoples,” Chatto added.
The delegation visited some of the tourist attractions and historical sites in Bohol, such as the Chocolate Hills, the Loboc River Cruise, the Baclayon Church, and the Blood Compact Shrine. They also met with local government officials, civil society organizations, and youth leaders to discuss various issues and challenges facing both countries.
The delegation expressed their admiration and appreciation for Bohol’s natural beauty, rich heritage, and hospitable people.
“We are very impressed by what we have seen and experienced in Bohol. It is a beautiful place with a lot of history and culture. The people are very friendly and welcoming. We have learned a lot from our interactions with them and we hope to share our insights and perspectives with our colleagues back home,” Curran said on behalf of the delegation.
The delegation also thanked Chatto and his staff for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements.
“We are very grateful to Rep. Chatto and his team for hosting us and making us feel at home. They have been very generous and accommodating to our needs and requests. They have also organized a very informative and enjoyable program for us. We will always remember our visit to Bohol with fondness and gratitude,” Foster said.