President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday recognized outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu’s crucial role in enhancing the Philippines’ relations with Australia.

In a farewell call at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction on Yu for her “many significant contributions to strengthening the bilateral ties between the Philippines and the Commonwealth of Australia.”

The Order of Sikatuna is the national order of diplomatic merit, conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious service to the Republic of the Philippines.

Marcos acknowledged that it was under Yu’s leadership that Manila and Canberra elevated their ties to a strategic partnership.

He also hailed Yu’s “outstanding and dedicated” service in the field of international relations, making her an “exceptionally worthy and competent” representative of Australia in the Philippines.

He thanked the outgoing ambassador for her steadfast efforts in promoting high-level dialogues and exchanges between the two nations, saying her support paved the way for the conclusion of numerous government-to-government cooperation agreements.

Marcos said Yu played a key role in enhancing cooperation to support the Philippines’ priorities in the fields of education, agriculture, environment, defense, and maritime domain awareness.

He also lauded Yu’s efforts to obtain humanitarian and other forms of Australian government assistance to the Philippines, in times of natural disasters and in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The conferment of the award also recognized Yu’s “many laudable initiatives to foster amity and mutual appreciation between the Filipino and Australian peoples.”

Before serving as Australian Ambassador to the Philippines in 2022, Yu worked as deputy head of Mission of the Australian Embassy in Japan and senior career officer with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In Canberra, Yu served as First Assistant Secretary, Middle East and Africa Division, and held a number of senior roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and in the Treasury.

Yu will be succeeded by Marc Innes-Brown, a senior career officer who has served overseas as Australia’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Iran, and Iraq, and had previous postings in Thailand and the United States. (PNA)