Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia this week hailed the growing trade relations between the Philippines and Australia in a speech he delivered at the ongoing ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He also thanked Australia for its continuing assistance to the Philippines, a press release from his office said yesterday.

Leonardia pointed out that defense relations with Australia “is of utmost importance.”

“I hope our two countries can continue working towards a comprehensive, dynamic and enhanced defense and security cooperation,” he told the assembly, that is a gathering of parliamentarians from the 10 Southeast Asian nations.

Leonardia, representing the Philippines, told the Kuala Lumpur assembly that trade between our two countries totaled $345.64 million for the first three months this year.

“Australia,” he added, “is our 17th trading partner out of 195 countries – it is the 16 th top import supplier and the 16th top export market.”

Australia this year sent an observer team, composed of Members of Parliament, to the AIPA.

Leonardia also thanked the Aussie government for the two landing craft heavy (LCH) ships it donated to the country and the grants and scholarships it is offering to Filipinos.

The LCH ships, Leonardia said, “will improve the capability of the Philippine Navy to respond to maritime security incidents and disasters.”

He also noted that the Australian Official Development Assistance plan in the Philippines amounted to $84.2 million for 2015-2016, adding that the country's immediate response to the relief efforts and life-saving assistance to the families affected by typhoons Yolanda and Glenda “will not be forgotten.”

On top of all these, Leonardia pointed out, Australia is hosting more than 200,000 Filipinos working and living there.

The Bacolod solon, a member of the Congressional Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, is one of the five representatives of the country to the ASEAN meet from Sept. 6 to 12.*

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