CITY of York Council’s leader has met with the Philippine Ambassador to discuss greater economic links between the Philippines and York.

Coun James Alexander met Enrique Manalo at the Philippine embassy in London.

The meeting saw Ambassador Manalo, political minister Louis Alferez, economic officer Manny Guzman, commercial attaché Kristine Umali and tourism officer Rosario Afuang discuss how they might share skills on heritage preservation, tourism and food agriculture, as well as community-based disaster mitigation responses.

Coun Alexander said: "I am extremely interested in learning about community response to flooding, especially in terms of setting up flood wardens. The Philippines already have their own version of this, so I am keen to learn from their experiences.”

Ambassador Manalo said: “We are encouraged by the interest in the Philippines shown by York City Council and there are several exciting prospects for concrete collaboration.”

There are some 6,000 Filipinos living and working in and around York, mostly in the healthcare sector.

 

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