THE LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC CELEBRATES ITS NATIONAL DAY TODAY
TODAY is the 37th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). It celebrates the 1975 victory of the proletariat over the monarchy.
Laos is home to a significant number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), mostly high-skilled and professional workers working on various projects in the country. These Filipino workers are greatly appreciated by the people and government of Laos because of their valuable contribution to the country’s economic development.
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Lao PDR were established shortly after the latter’s independence from France in 1949. The two countries established resident missions in their respective capitals only in 1997 following the entry of Laos into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in July of that year. The Philippines was one of the original ASEAN members that campaigned for the realization of the vision of ASEAN-10, which would include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Viet Nam (CLMV) into the grouping.
On November 12, 2012, the first Laos-Philippines Business Council (LPBC) meeting was held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Members of the council discussed various areas of possible cooperation, particularly on mining investments, public works, transport sectors, and government policies. The second LPBC meeting is expected to be held in January, 2013, in Laos.
The Manila Bulletin, led by its Chairman of the Board Dr. Emilio T. Yap, President and Publisher Atty. Hermogenes P. Pobre, Executive Vice President Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cris J. Icban Jr., Business Editor Loreto D. Cabanes, Officers and Employees, congratulates the people and the government of the Lao PDR headed by Their Excellencies, Lt. Gen. President Choummaly Sayasone, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Vice President Boun-Gnang Volachit, First Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. Laoli, and its Embassy in the Philippines led by H.E., Ambassador Malayvieng Sakonhninhom, on the occasion of its National Day. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!
