Vietnam donates 2,000 tons of rice to the Philippines to support disaster recovery efforts, as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosts Ambassador Montealegre for farewell meeting.
On the evening of January 3, 2026, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received outgoing Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre, in a farewell meeting marking the end of his diplomatic tenure.
Prime Minister Chinh congratulated the ambassador on the successful completion of his term, praising his positive contributions to advancing the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the Philippines.
During Ambassador Montealegre’s tenure, the two countries effectively implemented the Action Plan for the Strategic Partnership (2019–2024), maintained high-level exchanges, and welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on a state visit to Vietnam - during which five cooperative agreements were signed across multiple sectors, creating new momentum for bilateral ties.
Expressing deep condolences over the severe losses suffered by the Filipino people due to recent natural disasters, Prime Minister Chinh highlighted the shared challenges both nations face in dealing with storms and other natural calamities. He announced that Vietnam would donate 2,000 tons of rice to assist the Philippines in overcoming this difficult period.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of deepening the Vietnam–Philippines Strategic Partnership not only for mutual benefit but also to strengthen ASEAN unity and contribute to regional and global peace and development.
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Chinh proposed several key areas of cooperation:
Maintaining and expanding high-level exchanges across all channels
Developing a new Action Plan for the next phase of strategic partnership
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership (2025) and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (2026)
Boosting trade and investment promotion
Strengthening cooperation in maritime affairs, climate change response, disaster relief, and search and rescue
Joint efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
Expanding collaboration in agriculture, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, building a common ASEAN database, and high-quality human resource development
Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to being a reliable rice supplier to the Philippines and suggested that, based on the existing Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade, both sides work toward signing a long-term agreement on stable rice exports and imports.
Supporting ASEAN unity and centrality, Prime Minister Chinh confirmed Vietnam’s full backing for the Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026.
He also encouraged the Philippines to continue voicing strong support for ASEAN’s common position on the South China Sea (East Sea) and to help advance effective negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC). Both nations should work closely to maintain peace, stability, freedom, and security of navigation and aviation in the region, and support one another at regional and international forums such as ASEAN, the UN, and APEC.
Ambassador Montealegre, in response, expressed appreciation for the support and cooperation from the Vietnamese Government and people throughout his tenure. He praised Vietnam’s strong leadership and highlighted the substantial progress made in bilateral relations.
Agreeing with the Prime Minister’s views, he affirmed that the Philippines remains committed to ASEAN solidarity and centrality, and expressed hope that Vietnam would continue to support the Philippines during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.
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