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By APD writerMelo M. Acuna
MANILA, Oct. 17 (APD) – Cuban Non-Resident Ambassador to the Philippines Ibete Fernández Hernández said she looks forward to the reopening of embassies between her country and the Philippines.
In an exclusive interview, Ambassador Hernández said the relationships between the two countries have been smooth as there have been collaboration in political issues in the multilateral fora.
“We appreciate President Duterte’s statement to reopen the Philippine Embassy in Havana. He sent a high-level delegation to Cuba immediately after he assumed power in June 30, 2016,” she said. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Cuba was established in 1946.
She added prospects abound because there are Philippine-made products they don’t produce in Cuba.
Cuban Ambassador Ibete Fernandez Hernandez during an exclusive interview by Melo M. Acuna
“In 2011, we opened the country to foreign investments because it will attract new technology which will complement our economy,” she added. The Philippines may be interested in the textile industry as well as Cuba’s expertise on biotechnology to address health concerns including diabetes and cancer,” Ambassador Hernández added.
Asked what the Philippines can learn from Cuba, Ambassador Hernández said it’s their healthcare system which was developed as soon as President Fidel Castro led the country. She said before 1959, health care was limited to people who can afford to pay.
She said they trained their own medical professionals, put together a research production and saw to it health services reach the people.
“President Fidel Castro exercised his political will in taking care of the people as well as to contribute to the development of medicines in our country,” she added. The sanctions imposed by the United States of America prevents them from purchasing medicines abroad.
The Kuala Lumpur-based envoy said they now have some 65,000 medical doctors assigned to 65 countries, to areas like Fiji, Vanuatu, Vietnam, China and Africa to help people in need of medical attention.
“There are three Filipinos studying Medicine and would return after six years where their only expenses were those for plane fares to take them to Cuba,” Ambassador Hernández said.
During her 24-hour visit to Manila, she met with three Philippines-Cuba solidarity groups.
She explained the embargo was the longest sanction ever imposed on her country which began in February 3,1962. She added the Americans thought they would give up and surrender but they’ve proven the world of their resiliency.
“We never made any terrorist act against the United States of America and they wanted us to surrender,” she explained as she emphasized they are open to everyone except on matters that would impact on their sovereignty.
Asked of foreign investors in her country, Ambassador Hernández said China is the biggest investor in her country while Vietnam placed second. China has developed its own economic zone.
When asked to describe relations between China and Cuba, the ambassador said they have a vibrant exchange of experts in Education, Sciences and Health among others.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
