WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Philippines to strengthen its relationship with countries that have shared history, values and traditions;

WHEREAS, the Philippines and Australia started their formal diplomatic relations in 1946 with the establishment of the Australian Consulate-General in Manila;

WHEREAS, the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Australia, based on similar aspirations of liberty, justice, democratic values and close historical ties, is demonstrated in several programs involving development assistance, immigration issues, regional and security cooperation, trade and investment;

WHEREAS, to celebrate, enhance, and enrich their bilateral cooperation, the Philippines and Australia decided to elevate their relationship into a comprehensive partnership, through the issuance of the Joint Declaration on Australia-Philippines Comprehensive Partnership; and

WHEREAS, the 70th Anniversary of the Philippine-Australia relations merits appropriate observance and official commemoration.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare 22 May 2016 and every year thereafter as Philippine-Australia Friendship Day, coinciding with the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Australia.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of May in the  year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Sixteen.


By the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary