(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte is welcomed by Jordan’s King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein at the Al Husseinieh Palace on Thursday, Sept. 6, in ceremonies where the Philippine president was given full military honors and the Philippine National Anthem was played for the first time at the Royal Palace of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
This is the first time that a Philippine president has visited this Middle East country.
President Duterte and Jordan’s King Abdullah marched together as they reviewed the honor guards at the Palace courtyard while the military band played. Outside, the Philippine flag waved proudly at the streets, together with the flag of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The President is scheduled to hold a tête-à-tête and closed-door meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein, accompanied by his selected Cabinet members namely, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, and Chief of the Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert E.A. Borje.
His Majesty King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein will also hold an official working lunch with President Duterte and his delegation to conclude their meeting.
President Duterte is expected to sign an agreement for better working conditions for overseas Filipino workers in Jordan.
Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Akmad Atlah Sakkam explained that in comparison to other Arab nations, the Filipinos in Jordan have fewer problems but conditions could still be improved.
“The people are good, the people are honorable people… (They treat) our workers with respect. So that is a plus factor for Jordan,” the Philippine envoy said.
“The access to Internet and cellphone is now built into our new agreement. And our domestic helpers will be allowed to cook their own food. And then (there is) religious tolerance, they are allowed to exercise their religious beliefs. Wala yan sa iba,” he added.
Moreover, the Filipino workers will have fully paid free time for their weekly free hours apart from their regular working hours.
Duterte will also explore business opportunities for the two nations.
“The visit initiates an opening for our businessmen. And for Jordan also,” Ambassador Sakkam said.
(Eagle News Service with a PND release)
