The Philippine government is eyeing to tap New Zealand’s expertise on modernizing the Social Security System’s (SSS) and Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) processes and services to better serve the public, the Department of Finance (DOF) said in a statement over the weekend.
New Zealand ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell said during a recent virtual meeting with Carlos Dominguez, DOF secretary, that New Zealand can get involved in the ongoing BOC modernization project as a consultant and advisor.
According to the DOF statement, Kell said New Zealand can provide training and the services of its experts to assist the BOC in capacity building and modernizing its trade facilitation and border protection functions.
New Zealand is also finalizing the financing component of a project with the SSS to redesign the processing of social security pensions and other benefits, which aims to improve the approval system and procedures for SSS members applying for these claims, the DOF said.
Dominguez expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s offer of assistance and assured the ambassador of DOF’s support for both initiatives.
During the meeting, Kell also informed Dominguez of the significant progress made in the discussions between New Zealand and Philippine officials on a project that will continue New Zealand’s support to Mindanao’s agriculture sector and agribusiness enterprises.
He likewise said he looks forward to working closely with the Philippines as New Zealand hosts this year the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, which are expected to focus on discussions on how to overcome the global economic impact of the lingering coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In partnership with the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), the New Zealand government has extended last year about P64.25 million in assistance to support the Philippine government’s response against COVID-19, particularly in providing assistance to vulnerable communities in Mindanao.
New Zealand and the IOM have also donated 35 cold storage units necessary for the efficient delivery and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the New Zealand government has likewise continued to assist Mindanao’s agriculture sector with a $2.69 million project to support agriculture-based livelihoods and agribusiness enterprises in Maguindanao and North Cotabato. – Angela Celis
