Germany has extended around P2 billion or 50 million euros assistance to the Philippines for the country's pro-environment initiatives.
This came after German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met her Filipino counterpart, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo, who was touring various German cities for a series of activities, including fostering bilateral ties and participating in a security conference.
According to the German Foreign Office, it is important for Germany to strengthen its cooperation with its partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
"As one of the countries most affected by the climate crisis, the Philippines have embarked on an ambitious course in their transition towards renewables. As a partner country of the German Climate Initiative, we are supporting them with over €50 million," it said, reiterating Baerbock's commitment to Manalo.
Aside from climate support, Germany also expressed intention to intensify its cooperation with the Philippines to attract more skilled workers as the latter's "largest trading partner" in the European Union as well as support for the peaceful resolution of conflict in Mindanao.
In his Twitter posts, Manalo said he is "very pleased to have had a comprehensive meeting" with Baerbock in Berlin, when they "exchanged views on regional security issues including West Philippine Sea and the Ukraine crisis."
"We reaffirmed the importance of a rules-based international order and the peaceful settlement of disputes. We agreed to increase cooperation on climate change, renewable energy, trade & investment, labor and human rights, among others," he added.
Manalo, in a press conference, expressed appreciation for Germany's commitment as he said "this is important because the climate change issues for countries such as the Philippines is also a security issue."
He noted that rising temperatures are leading to more extreme and frequent weather events, "as we have seen over the past few years." That led to loss of infrastructure, destruction of harvest, and the livelihoods of people, he added.
"and it is a boon to be able to work with countries such as Germany, under the Indo-Pacific guidelines, which have committed to tackling climate change and protecting the environment," Manalo said.