FUNCTION

R. A. 7157 defines the role of an Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs as follows - to advise and assist the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the formulation and implementation of the Department's objectives and policies, as well as [to] coordinate and oversee the operational activities of the Departments.  

The Office of the Undersecretary for  Policy aids the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and provides him advice on matters relating to the formulation and execution of Philippine foreign policy, particularly on bilateral, regional and international political and security issues.  Its functions specifically include: 

•  promoting multilateral and bilateral relations of the Philippines with other states;

• coordinating with other concerned government agencies on the formulation of Philippine positions on various regional and international political and security issues;

• attending, in support of the Secretary, multilateral and bilateral fora pertaining to political and security matters, as well as Cabinet Cluster E meetings when regional and international political and security issues are tabled in the agenda for discussion.

The offices under the direct supervision of the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy are the:

• Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs ( ASPAC);

• Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA);

• Office of American Affairs (OAA);

• Office of European Affairs (OEA);

• Office of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO); and

• Office of ASEAN Affairs (ASEAN).

These advice and assist the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Undersecretary for Policy in planning, coordinating, integrating and evaluating the bilateral and multilateral relations of the assisted by these geographic offices, to ensure that it commands and possesses an overall view of the political and security concerns of the country, all in support of foreign policy formulation, as well as its effective implementation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email Address:   usecpol@dfa.gov.ph