MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario met with the Filipino community in Myanmar last week.

About a hundred Filipinos attended a welcome dinner for del Rosario at the Philippine embassy in Yangon last February 8.

In his speech, Secretary del Rosario highlighted the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, focusing on the promotion and protection of overseas Filipinos. He emphasized the role of the Filipino community at a time when socio-economic reforms are underway.

Del Rosario also thanked the community for their support for victims of natural disasters in the Philippines.

Dr. Melgabar Capistrano, president of the community association Pilipinas.mm, shared the concerns of the Filipinos in Myanmar. This includes the possibility of sending remittances to the Philippines and resumption of direct air links between the Philippines and Myanmar.

In response, del Rosario said he will work on addressing their concerns about remittances and air service links.

There are some 362 Filipinos in Myanmar, including professionals working with the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, as well as teachers, managers, engineers, architects, supervisors, entertainers and spouses of Myanmar nationals.

Last week, del Rosario visited Myanmar, where he met with President Thein Sein and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.