Indonesia and Philippines Discuss Diaspora Registration in North Sulawesi

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro stated that Indonesia and the Philippines have discussed ongoing efforts to register people of Filipino descent in North Sulawesi. “The Philippines hopes this programme will enable people of Filipino descent to be documented and access comprehensive and prompt social services,” Lazaro said in a joint press statement with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Jakarta on Thursday. The Philippine Foreign Minister mentioned that the first wave of registration for people of Indonesian descent in the Philippines has already taken place, with the success of the programme serving as evidence of the Philippines’ efforts in coordination with Indonesian authorities. “The programme benefits thousands of individuals whose Indonesian citizenship has been confirmed. So once again, we are in the process of expanding the action plan between the two countries,” Lazaro said. In addition, the Philippine Foreign Minister stated that Indonesia and the Philippines discussed various issues based on the 2022-2027 Philippines-Indonesia Action Plan, which encompasses defence, security, maritime cooperation, economy, health, education, and other strategic fields. Indonesia and the Philippines also exchanged views on pressing regional and global issues, such as the South China Sea, ASEAN dynamics, UN issues, and the Middle East crisis with widespread global impacts, she said. The Philippine Foreign Minister also conveyed plans to host the next Joint Commission meeting, which will be held in Manila. This step is important for maintaining the momentum of cooperation and ensuring the implementation of the achieved agreements.