12 January 2001
 

INTRODUCTION

The year 2000 marks the end of an era and the beginning of another.  It poses great opportunities and challenges through a more dynamic economic and political environment and an emerging new world order.  Among the new challenges are globalization, information technology, the worldwide web, revolutionary scientific discoveries, novel environmental protection systems and different attitudes and behavior towards social and political reforms, to which all nations should respond.

During the year, the Philippines has made progress in its relations with other countries and addressed its own political and economic imperatives.

As in all countries, national security cannot be compromised and must be safeguarded, at all times and at all costs.  The protection of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is primordial to national survival.  As a consequence, matters directly concerning national security are non-negotiable.

Economic growth and sustainable development are the keys to the attainment of peace and stability within the country and in the region.  Economic and development cooperation with partner countries have enabled the Philippines to obtain the resources to attain these objectives.

The Philippines actively supports and sustains overseas Filipino workers, who have been dubbed the “new heroes” for their important contribution to the Philippine economy.  The DFA works to ensure that the rights of the Filipino migrant workers are respected in the workplace, wherever that may be.

The Department’s efforts are geared towards the goals of national security and development in the broadest sense.  They are intended to contribute towards the government’s domestic goals of the Medium-Term Development Plan of poverty alleviation, providing food security and social safety nets for disadvantaged groups, and towards international efforts to foster ideals of peace, democracy, good governance and respect for universal and fundamental human rights.

These are the main pillars of foreign policy.  In a new age of globalization, these have been supplemented by an energetic public and cultural diplomacy, to provide the world community and Filipinos overseas with information on current Philippine developments and the variegated and diverse nature of Philippine culture.

NATIONAL SECURITY

The protection of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity remains the most important concern of the Department.  In the attainment of this goal, the Department seeks to promote Philippine interests by working closely with other countries, broadening and deepening bilateral relations through such means as exchanges of visits, regular consultations and dialogues, and participation in regional and international fora and activities.

Bilateral Relations

Bilateral relations between the Philippines and other countries were enhanced and strengthened through high level visits, bilateral consultations, and the signing of bilateral agreements. The Philippines also participated in peacekeeping operations and confidence- building activities as part of its contribution to regional and international peace and stability.

Asia-Pacific

The Philippines considers relations with its neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as of critical importance to its national security.  Historical, cultural, political and economic ties bind the Philippines with these countries.  We thus seek to enhance and cultivate such ties in the national interest and that of regional stability and prosperity.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs made an official visit to Singapore from 29 January to 1 February as part of the people-to-people exchange under the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan which was approved in 1998.  He called on Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and had meetings with Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar to further enhance bilateral relations and cooperation in ASEAN.

The Sixth Meeting of the RP-Malaysia Working Group on Border Crossing was held in Kuala Lumpur on 28 February 2000.  The Working Group agreed to open the border crossing stations in Sandakan in the case of Malaysia, and Bongao in the case of the Philippines.  This meeting was followed by the Third Meeting of the RP-Malaysia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) from 1 to 3 March 2000, the first meeting since 1996.  Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar later visited the Philippines from 14 to 15 June 2000 and held bilateral talks with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to further strengthen bilateral relations.

The Philippines and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding relating to the Second Joint Oceanographic and Marine Scientific Research Expedition in the South China Sea (JOMSRE-SCS) on 22 May 2000.  The JOMSRE-SCS is a confidence-building measure aimed at contributing to a peaceful resolution of territorial claims to the South China Sea.  The first JOMSRE expedition was held in May 1996 and was hosted by Vietnam.   The second expedition commenced in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on 27 May 200 and ended in Manila on 2 June 2000.   The Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines and the Institute of Oceanography of Vietnam jointly undertook the expedition.  Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien also visited the Philippines from 15 to 17 June 2000 to further strengthen bilateral relations.

To show its support for a traditional ally and longstanding ASEAN partner, the Philippines issued a unilateral statement of support for Indonesia on 16 June 2000 and reiterated its support for United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 2504 of 1969, which recognized West Papua (Irian Jaya) as an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia.  During the 33rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and related meetings in July 2000, the Philippines joined its ASEAN neighbors, as well as China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, in issuing a statement in support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Indonesia.

Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen of Cambodia made a state visit to the Philippines from 16 to 19 August 2000.   In the expectation of expanded relations with the tenth member of ASEAN, several bilateral agreements were signed:  on tourism cooperation, the promotion and protection of investments, visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, health workers’ development cooperation.  A Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation was also established to monitor progress in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Philippines continued to provide assistance for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of East Timor through financial contributions and the deployment of a troop contingent to the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor Peacekeeping Force.  For six months in 2000, Lt. General Jaime de los Santos led the peacekeeping force until he turned the command over to Lt. General Boonsang of Thailand.  The Philippines at present has some 535 troops stationed in East Timor undertaking medical and dental services, as well as engineering and reconstruction activities in the area.  Philippine technical experts have also been sent to East Timor.

East Timor leaders Jose Alexandre 'Xanana' Gusmao and Jose Ramos Horta visited the Philippines from 4 to 7 February.  The visit was meant to establish a dialogue with the Philippine Government, in preparation for the establishment of the independent state of East Timor.

The year 2000 marked the 25th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.  To commemorate this occasion, and to reciprocate the visit of Prime Minister Zhu Rongji in November 1999, President Estrada paid a state visit to China on 16 to 19 May.  During his visit, a Joint Statement on the Framework for Bilateral Cooperation in the 21st Century was signed to chart the future direction of the relations between the two countries.

Also signed during the President’s visit were the following:  1) Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture, Irrigation and Other Related Areas; 2) Exchange of Notes on the Setting up of the Sino-Philippines Center for Agricultural Technology; (3) Memorandum of Understanding between the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the People's Bank of China on the Establishment of Banking Institutions in Each Other's Territories; (4) Executive Program of the RP-China Cultural Agreement for 2000-2001; and (5) the Protocol of the Twelfth Session of the Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Philippines and China.

Madame Li Shuzheng, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Peoples' Congress, visited the Philippines from 13 to 19 August 2000.  During her visit, she called on Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and on Secretary of Foreign Affairs Domingo L. Siazon Jr., and met with the then Speaker of the House of Representatives Manuel Villar, Jr. and then Senate President Franklin Drilon.  She observed plenary sessions of the House and Senate, and conducted dialogues with the members of the House of Representatives.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Angelo T. Reyes visited China from 14 to 19 October at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, General Fu Quanyou, Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army.  During his visit, he held separate talks with State Councillor and Defense Minister Chi Haotian and General Fu.

Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero visited Beijing on 16 October and signed the RP-China Treaty on Mutual Judicial Assistance Concerning Criminal Matters with his Chinese counterpart, Minister Gao Changli.  Because the Treaty ensures cooperation between the two countries in the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of crimes such as corruption, narcotics trafficking and criminal matters, we expect progress in our joint effort to combat transnational crime.

The Seventh RP-Japan Sub-Ministerial Meeting was held on 9 October in Manila for the first time since 1996.  We value these meetings between the two foreign ministries as they   provide the opportunity for officials to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues.  As a result of this meeting, the two sides agreed to hold regular dialogues on political and security matters beginning 2001.  The addition of Japan to the list of countries in the Asia-Pacific region with which the Philippines currently conducts bilateral dialogues on political and security matters (namely, Australia, China, India and New Zealand) enables the Department to have a more holistic overview of the regional political situation required for an effective and responsive foreign relations.

The Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was signed on 12 July 2000, thus paving the way for North Korea's entry into the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).  A parliamentary delegation led by Senator Blas Ople subsequently made a goodwill visit to Pyongyang in September 2000.   We consider the establishment of diplomatic relations not only a step towards the promotion of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, but also a contribution to the maintenance of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

In an effort to reach out to other Asian countries, the Philippines hosted Mongolian President Natsagiin Bagabandi from 1 to 4 September 2000, the first visit of a Mongolian head of state to the country.  The following agreements were signed during his visit to enhance bilateral relations between the Philippines and Mongolia:  (1) Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments Agreement; (2) Air Services Agreement; (3) Cultural Agreement; (4) Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation; and (5) Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.

On 6 October, foreign affairs, defense and security officials of the Philippines and Australia met in Manila for the Third Philippines-Australia Dialogue on Regional Security Issues.  The dialogue complements the annual RP-Australia Dialogue on General Bilateral Relations to ensure the continued enhancement of bilateral relations between the two countries, and better understanding of their respective policies on issues of mutual interest.

The Second Philippines-New Zealand Bilateral Consultations on Political and Security Issues were held in Wellington on 6 November.  The bilateral consultations with New Zealand and Australia enable the Philippines to have a better appreciation of issues of interest to the countries of the South Pacific, particularly now that it is a dialogue Partner of the Pacific Islands Forum.

The Fifth RP-India Policy Consultation Talks were held in Manila on 27 November at sub-ministerial level.  The two sides exchanged views on their respective domestic policies, progress in their bilateral relations, and on regional and international issues of mutual concern.  A Memorandum of Understanding on RP-India Policy Consultations Talks was signed on 28 November 2000 to formalize the dialogue as a mechanism for fostering better understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

Europe

The Philippines’ historical and cultural ties with Europe were highlighted by the visit of Queen Sofia of Spain in February 2000 and of Spain’s Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar from 29 June to 1 July 2000.  A General Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Philippines and Spain was signed during the latter’s visit to serve as the framework for a new partnership between the Philippines and Spain based on enhanced political, economic, cultural, scientific, technological, educational and development cooperation.

From 23 to 28 June 2000, British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs John Battle visited the Philippines.  During his visit, Secretary Siazon and Minister Battle signed the RP-UK Action Agenda 2000-2004, which serves as a five-year guideline for RP-UK bilateral relations.  During the same visit, the Letter of Intent on the proposed RP-UK Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons was also signed.

During the year, the Department held political consultations with a number of European countries to promote closer bilateral relations and to foster better understanding of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.  In 2000, political consultations were conducted with the following countries:

? Poland:  in Warsaw, on 20-21 June, senior officials of the Department met with their counterparts on bilateral issues of mutual concern.
? Italy:  in Rome, on 22-23 June, during which bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern were discussed.
? Portugal:  in Lisbon, on 27 June, during which bilateral issues, regional developments including developments in East Timor and Philippine involvement in the area, and developments in the European Union, were discussed.
? Switzerland:  in Manila during the visit of Swiss Foreign Minister Joseph Deiss in October.  The Foreign Minister also invited Secretary Siazon to visit Switzerland for the commemoration of the 150th year of RP-Swiss relations in 2001.
? Russian Federation:  in Manila during the visit of Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov on 19 December.  The Deputy Foreign Minister invited the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to visit Russia in 2001 as it prepares to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of RP-Russia relations.

On 10 May 2000, a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Political Consultations Mechanism between the Philippines and Hungary was signed in Budapest.

Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited Turkey from 8 to 11 October 2000 and met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismael Cem and Secretary of State for Women's Affairs Hasan Gemici.  From Turkey, the Vice President proceeded to Italy from 12 to 15 October and with His Holiness Pope John Paul II as well as the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodanao.

Middle East and Africa

The Philippines’ policies and relations with the countries in the Middle East have been greatly influenced by two factors:  the massive number of Filipinos in that region, estimated at 1,168,691, and the situation in the Southern Philippines over which the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has a continuing interest.

The Philippine Government sent a goodwill mission in June 2000 to brief the officials of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Senegal on the status of the implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The Philippine Government attended the 27th OIC Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) in Kuala Lumpur from 27 to 30 June 2000.  At that Conference, the OIC recommended that a Mission be sent to assess the actual implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreement in Southern Philippines.  The OIC Special Mission on the Question of Muslims in Southern Philippines subsequently visited central, western and southern Mindanao from 17 to 23 October 2000.   Department representatives joined the two groups of the OIC Special Mission, which met with local officials and visited several project sites.

The Department’s Undersecretary for Policy Lauro L. Baja, Jr. led the Philippine representation at the Ninth OIC Summit in Doha, Qatar, from 8 to 15 November 2000.  The Philippines was accorded invitee status and allowed full access to plenary and committee meetings.  At the conference, the Philippines renewed its commitment to pursue peace and development efforts in Mindanao, and articulated the steps being undertaken by the government to pursue peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).  The final version of Resolution No. 9-P on the Question of Muslims in Southern Philippines indicated OIC's support for the peace initiatives of the Philippine government, and the latter’s efforts to bring the MILF to the negotiating table.

The First Meeting of the RP-Iran Consultative Committee on Political, Economic and Cultural Cooperation was held in Tehran from 3 to 6 September 2000 to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including the problem in Southern Philippines and the role of the OIC in finding a just and honorable peace in the area.   The Philippines and Iran also agreed to cooperate in effectively fighting drug abuse and trafficking, with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Combating Abuse and Illicit Trafficking of Controlled Substances and Chemicals in Tehran.

On the sidelines of the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York, the President met the Heads of States of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iran, Indonesia, Senegal and Qatar to apprise them of recent initiatives of the Philippines to resolve the problems in Mindanao.

Bilateral relations with other Middle Eastern countries were strengthened through high-level visits.  Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited Tel-Aviv in 31 March to 4 April 2000, to forge closer bilateral relations between the Philippines and Israel.  She also met with Chairman of the Palestinian National Authority Yasser Arafat, and reiterated the Philippines' support for the Palestinian struggle for independence.

The Vice President also visited South Africa from 5 to 7 October 2000, during which she explored potential areas of political cooperation, as well as the feasibility of South Africa’s opening a resident diplomatic mission in the Philippines.

The year 2000 also marked an expansion of Philippine diplomatic relations with a number of African nations.  Diplomatic relations were established with the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) on 19 January, Cape Verde on 21 March, Togo on 24 August, and Sao Tome and Principe on 08 November.

The Americas

The Philippines has had enduring ties with the Americas, with which it shares deep historical, cultural and economic links.  The last century saw in particular the close partnership between the Philippines and the United States, one which was redefined with the closure of the military bases in 1992.

On 17 January 2000, President Estrada signed Executive Order 199 formally creating the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFACOM), an inter-agency body co-chaired by the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs and National Defense and tasked to oversee joint activities staged by Philippine and U.S. military forces in line with their commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.  The Commission has been monitoring several large-scale joint activities, including the recently revived Balikatan, the largest of all RP-US military exercises.  The Commission has also proved instrumental in the resolution of VFA-related incidents and in putting into place additional measures designed to protect the welfare of the public and the environment in areas where joint exercises are held.

President Estrada made an official working visit to the United States from 24 July to 3 August 2000.  During his visit, the President witnessed the signing of Assembly Bill 1978 in California, which allows Filipino veterans to enjoy California state welfare benefits, in addition to those granted by the Federal Government.

The two countries also agreed to embark on broader security cooperation to jointly address the issues of global terrorism, the illegal narcotics trade, human trafficking and other transnational issues.  In line with this agreement, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Angelo T. Reyes and Admiral Dennis C. Blair, commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Command, signed the Joint Statement Regarding Cooperation in the Field of Counter-Terrorism Training on 25 September 2000, and the U.S. Government approved a US$ 2 million budget for its counter-terrorism cooperation measures with the Philippines, which will help realize plans to create a special counter-terrorism unit within the AFP.

In October 2000, the US Government also announced the approval by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency of additional Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for the Philippines in the amount of US$436,768.87.  The amount brought the total FMF grant for the Philippines to US$1.437 million for fiscal year 2000.

The signing of the RP-US Letter of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement on 20 September 2000 also boosted Philippine capability to combat trade in illegal drugs.  The letter of agreement provided an assistance of US$51,000 for a computer system inter-connection project of the National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center and the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime.

A high-level delegation headed by Panamanian Vice-President Dominador Kaiser Basan visited the Philippines from 24 to 26 May 2000.  Vice President Basan held talks with Vice-President Macapagal-Arroyo and with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.  Among the topics of interest to the Panamanian officials was the Philippine experience in the conversion of former U.S. military bases in the Philippines into special economic zones, in view of the turnover of the Panama Canal to the Panamanian Government in December 1999.  The Panamanian delegation subsequently visited the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs held bilateral talks with Undersecretary Heraldo Muñoz of Chile on the sidelines of the APEC meetings in Brunei Darussalam.  Among other issues, they discussed the forthcoming Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum in 14-19 January 2001 and the East Asia-Latin American Forum on 29-30 March 2001, which are to be hosted by Chile.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs also met with President Fidel Castro and Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque at the fringes of the Summit Meeting of the Group of 77 in Havana.  The two foreign ministers signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing consultations between the two countries' foreign ministries.   They held talks again in New York in the course of the 51st United Nations General Assembly in September 2000.

The Inspector General of the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil, Sergio Damasceno Vieira, visited the Philippines from 30 March to 4 April 2000.  He made a courtesy call on then Undersecretary Rora Navarro-Tolentino, and discussed bilateral and regional issues.

Participation in Regional and International Organizations

For the year 2000, the Philippines sought to advance its interests through active participation in regional and multilateral forums.

ASEAN

The commitment to ASEAN remains a cornerstone of Philippine foreign policy.  At the 33rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held in Bangkok in July 2000, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers agreed to the Philippines’ initiative to include “building a community of peace” as the fourth pillar of the comprehensive development agenda of ASEAN.  This will consist of measures aimed at improving the institutional processes of ASEAN, primarily by putting the Regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea into practice, and operationalizing the Rules of Procedure of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the ASEAN Troika and the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone.

It was also agreed during the Bangkok Meeting that the target date for realizing a drug-free ASEAN would be accelerated from 2020 to 2015.  It will be recalled that the signing of the Joint Declaration for a Drug-Free ASEAN was one of the Philippine initiatives at the 31st AMM in Manila in 1998. The Declaration commits member countries to undertake appropriate measures to eliminate the production, processing, trafficking and use of illegal drugs from the ASEAN region by the agreed upon year.

After the AMM, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN, as well as those of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (currently known as ASEAN + 3), adopted the modalities for the implementation of the Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation, particularly in the economic and social, and political-security and other fields.

At the 4th ASEAN Informal Summit held in Singapore from 24 to 25 November 2000, President Estrada and the other ASEAN Leaders underlined the importance of closer cooperation among the thirteen countries of East Asia.  The Leaders discussed the possible creation of an East Asia Free Trade Zone and the establishment of an annual “East Asia Summit.”  To help the Leaders pursue these ideas, they supported the proposal by President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea for the formation of an East Asia study group.  Its report will be presented to the Leaders during the Summit in Brunei next year.

ASEAN Regional Forum

The Philippines continues to attach great value to the ARF as the only multilateral security forum in the Asia-Pacific region where ASEAN could engage regional and international players on political and security issues.  The ARF has also engendered the development of a culture of sensitivity to members’ national predicaments and constraints which has allowed them to exercise a sense of moderation, accommodation and compromise.

The Seventh Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held in Bangkok on 27 July 2000, with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea participating for the first time as the 21st member of the Forum.  The Ministers exchanged views on major political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.  They welcomed the establishment of the ARF Register of Experts/Eminent Persons, as well as the first volume of the ARF Annual Security Outlook (ASO).  The ASO was viewed as a means to promote confidence and transparency among ARF participants.

United Nations and Other International Organizations

The Philippine Senate ratified the Convention on the Production of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (or the Anti-Personnel Landmines, or Ottawa Treaty) on 10 January 2000.  The ratification of this Treaty demonstrates the firm resolve of the Philippines to arrive at the eventual elimination of anti-personnel mines, which would greatly contribute towards the promotion of international peace and stability.  The Philippines continues to campaign for the eventual universalization of the Ottawa Treaty.

The Philippines participated in the Thirteenth NAM Ministerial Conference in Cartagena, Colombia in April 2000.  During the Conference, the Philippines spearheaded discussions on the South China Sea and the regional situation in Southeast Asia.  The NAM Ministers endorsed the conclusion of a regional code of conduct in the South China Sea as a positive contribution to peace and stability in the region.  The Ministers also supported the Philippine position to resolve all sovereignty and territorial disputes in the South China Sea by peaceful means, and without resorting to force and/or threat to use force.

From 4 to 8 September, President Estrada joined 155 other Heads of States and Governments at the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York.  At the Summit's Plenary Session, the President outlined the five core themes to be pursued by the Philippines at the UN:  preventive diplomacy, true disarmament, reform in the United Nations, human rights and equitable development.  The President also signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.  On the fringes of the Summit, the President held bilateral meetings with the leaders of a number of countries and received the Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund.

The Philippines participated in the UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.  Two contingents of Philippine law enforcement officers were deployed to Kosovo as civilian police personnel under the command and control of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).  The first was a 38-man contingent and was deployed on 19 July 2000.  The second, a 24-man contingent, was deployed on 19 September 2000, replacing the 22-man contingent deployed on 12 September 1999.

The Philippines participated in the Fifth Annual Plenary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Asia-Pacific Consultations (APC) on Refugees, Displaced Persons and Migrants held in Hong Kong on 14 November 2000.  It was at this meeting that the Philippines was nominated to assume the role of APC Coordinator after the term of Thailand.
The Philippines, along with South Africa, Jamaica and Moldavia, was selected as one of the vice presidents of the 4th International Conference of New or Restored Democracies (ICNRD) held in Cotonou, Benin, from 4 to 6 December 2000.  As head of the Philippine delegation, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Lauro Baja reiterated the continuing support of the Philippines for the vision and objectives of the conference, which began in Manila in 1988.  The Philippines also supported the Cotonou Declaration, which called for the establishment of a focal point in the UN Secretariat as a follow-up of the results of the 4th ICNRD.
The Philippines signed the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its Supplementary Protocols during the High-Level Political Signing Conference held in Palermo, Italy, from 12 to 15 December 2000.  The signing of the Convention demonstrates Philippine commitment to the international effort against transnational organized crime.

On 28 December 2000, the Philippines also signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), becoming the 124th state to do so.   The ICC aims to establish an international criminal justice system that will put to trial individuals guilty of committing the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.  The signing of the Statute is consistent with Philippine support for human rights and justice for victims of aggression, including genocide.

ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting

The Philippines participated in the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting held in Vientiane, Laos from 11 and 12 December 2000.  The Meeting was held for the first time since 1997. The ASEAN and EU Ministers adopted the Vientiane Declaration, which expressed the commitment of ASEAN and EU to strengthen cooperative efforts towards poverty alleviation, with priority given to human resource development, health and environmental protection, among others, and to enhance cooperation despite existing differences in issues.

Asia-Europe Meeting

The Philippines took part in the Third Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM III) held in Seoul in October 2000.  The ASEM Leaders adopted the Asia-Europe Cooperation Framework (AECF) 2000, which sets forth ASEM's medium-term work program and activities, including the intensification of political dialogue among ASEM partners, cooperation in arms control and transnational issues, strengthening the multilateral trading system, enhancing the dialogue on global financial issues, cooperation in science and technology, and increasing contact between the peoples of Asia and Europe.  The Philippines' presence reaffirmed the country's commitment to strengthening relations with Europe in the political, economic and cultural fields.

Consistent with the Philippine commitment towards the protection of women and children, the Philippines co-chaired with the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, the Meeting on the ASEM Child Welfare Enforcement Agencies held in South Korea.  It also participated in the first Core Group Experts' Meeting on Trafficking in Women and Children held in Stockholm, Sweden from 27 to 29 November 2000, with a view to drawing up the ASEM Action Plan to Combat Trafficking. To complement existing international and regional initiatives on trafficking, it was decided that the ASEM Initiative could focus on gender-equality, the role of cultural values and demand-factor.  The ASEM Declaration on Trafficking and the follow-up project will be presented to the ASEM Foreign Ministers at their meeting in Beijing in May 2001.

Asian Regional Initiative Against Trafficking in Women and Children (ARIAT)

From 29 to 31 March 2000, a Meeting on the Asian Regional Initiative Against Trafficking in Women and Children (ARIAT) took place in Manila. The Meeting gathered representatives of governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations and formulated an ARIAT Action Plan in the four key strategic areas of prevention, protection, prosecution, and repatriation and reintegration.

In this regard, the Department spearheaded the establishment of an inter-agency body to address human trafficking.  On 23 March 2000, President Estrada signed Executive Order No. 220 creating an Executive Council on the Suppression of Trafficking in Persons, particularly women and children.  The Council is tasked to assist the President in the formulation and implementation of policies to combat human trafficking.

The Department has also taken a lead role in implementing the UN Project in Coalitions Against Trafficking in Human Beings in the Philippines.  The project aims to strengthen the ability of Philippine law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities in addressing the problem of trafficking in persons through the development of a national coordination mechanism, specialized databases, training and awareness activities.

The Department also actively participated in the 14th Meeting of the Manila Process on “Preventing and Combating Irregular Migration and People Trafficking in Southeast Asia” held in Jakarta from 1 to 4 October 2000.

The Pacific Islands Forum

The Philippines participated for the first time as the 10th Dialogue Partner in the Post-Forum Dialogue of the Pacific Islands Forum in Tarawa, Kiribati on 1 November 2000.  The Forum serves as a venue for discussing issues of importance to the countries in the Pacific, such as maritime issues, climate change, sustainable development, nuclear testing and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, drug trafficking, money laundering, and sustainable management of fisheries.  As an island-country in the Pacific, the Philippines supported the Forum’s call for stronger regional and international cooperation to address these problems.

DEVELOPMENT DIPLOMACY

Paramount in Philippine foreign policy are the government's efforts to promote its development programs in active cooperation with the world community. In 2000, the Philippine government stepped up its efforts to promote trade, investment and tourism in bilateral, sub-regional, regional and multilateral fora; strengthened its human resource development; consolidated efforts in the fields of science and technology, agriculture and fisheries, and the environment; improved its basic development services; optimized its development cooperation with bilateral and multilateral partners; and intensified its drive against transnational crimes.

The call for development with a human face as stated in the Philippine Agenda 21 has prompted the Philippine government to further the country's position in the global economy by skillfully plumbing economic, environmental, scientific and technological, factors.

Trade and Investment Promotion

Seeking for more economic cooperation, the Department actively negotiated for the conclusion and signing of bilateral agreements, particularly on trade and investment, establishment of banking institutions, avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion with regard to taxes and income, air services and maritime cooperation. Expanding its partnerships beyond the West and Japan, the Philippines sought revitalized relationships with the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

During the President’s Working Visit to the U.S. on 24 July to 03 August, he witnessed the signing of the Joint Statement on e-Commerce, under which both the Philippines and US agreed to support the joint promotion of electronic commerce. Another agreement signed by both governments was the RP-US Agreement for Mutual Assistance Between Customs Administrations.

During the State Visit of the President to China on 16 – 19 May 2000, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the People's Bank of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Banking Institutions in Each Other's Territories.

The RP - Spain General Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed during the visit of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar on 30 June - 01 July, was complemented by the Memorandum of Understanding between NEDA and the Spanish Ministry of Economy. Discussions between President Estrada and Prime Minister Aznar focused on the enhancement of economic relations through an increase of Spanish investments in the Philippines and further cooperation between business communities of the two countries, particularly in the areas of trade and investments.

Last year, the Philippines hosted the inaugural meeting of the RP-Czech Joint Trade Commission on 14-15 September and at the conclusion of which was signed the Protocol to the Trade Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the Czech Republic on the Establishment of the RP-Czech Joint Trade Relations.

The official visit of the Czech Deputy Prime Minister of Finance Pavel Mertlik to the Philippines on 12-14 November saw the signing of an Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes and Income. The Philippines signed the same agreement with Sri Lanka on 11 December 2000 and negotiations on similar agreements with Seychelles and Kuwait are in the pipeline.

The Philippines signed Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements with Kuwait on 11 March; with Cambodia, on 16 August 2000; and with Mongolia in September. An Air Services Agreement was also signed with Mongolia.

During the Fifth RP-India Policy Consultation Talks in Manila in November, the instruments of ratification were exchanged on the RP - India Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments. The Agreement, which was signed in January 2000, aims to enhance commercial, industrial, and other economic activities between the two countries by providing favorable conditions for investments by nationals and companies of the two countries. The agreement could usher in a new era of economic cooperation and partnership between India and the Philippines, which had always looked northward for its economic partnerships in the past.

In June, the Memorandum Of Understanding on Trade and Investments with Venezuela entered into force. Currently, the Department, together with DTI, is negotiating a new trade agreement with Argentina.

Earlier, from 22 to 28 March 200, Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led a 50-member business delegation to China with courtesy calls on President Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji and Vice President Hu Jintao. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Civil Affairs Minister Doji Cering also called on the Vice President.

Vice Minister Chen Xinghua of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) headed the MOFTEC delegation and the Chinese businessmen from 11 to 16 December to explore the possibility of an increased trade and investment with the Philippines.

During her visit to South Africa in October, Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed to Deputy Executive President Jacob Zuma the Philippines' desire for greater market access of Philippine goods to South Africa. Among the products which the Philippines could offer to South Africa and other African countries are computer and computer parts, and its traditional export products, such as furniture and children's garments.

The Philippines also participated in the 69th Izmir International Fair (25-31 August 2000), and the 4th International Agricultural Fair (Agrotech 2000; 6-9 September 2000) in Ankara, Turkey. In both fairs, the Philippines exhibited industrial and consumer products, such as machineries, heavy duty vehicles, household appliances, canned and packed samples of Filipino food, dried fruits, coffee, vegetables and fruit juices, handicrafts, furniture, ceramics, leather and textile garments.

The Philippines takes active part in the current wave of technological progress in telecommunications. Thus it welcomed from 15 to 18 January 2000 Finland's Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr. Olli-Pekka Heinomen, who led a business delegation of high-tech companies (in the field of telecommunications and electronics, financial software solutions and applications and internet multi-media) on a 4-day investment mission. The Finnish mission also organized an "Information Technology Seminar and Round Table Meeting" to apprise Filipino counterparts of advanced technologies in Finland and to seek potential Filipino partners in this sector, one of the fastest growing in the country today.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

The Philippines continues to strongly support ASEAN initiatives designed to enhance regional integration and promote trade and investment liberalization. The Philippines has taken the necessary steps to adjust its tariff reduction program in line with the ASEAN Leaders decision to accelerate the establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area by advancing the reduction of all tariffs to 0-5 percent by 2002 and the elimination of all tariffs by 2010 for the ASEAN-6 and 2015 for the newer members. The Philippines has been progressively shifting its trade patterns to make ASEAN a primary market for its goods. Since 1993, the Philippines’ trade with the rest of ASEAN has increased by 350 percent from US$ 2.7 billion in 1993 to US$ 9.4 billion in 1999. Philippine exports to ASEAN expanded six times from US$ 797 million in 1993 to US$ 4.90 billion in 1999, while imports from ASEAN grew twice over from US$ 1.9 billion to US$ 4.4 billion in the same period. It is also ready to open its manufacturing industries and provide national treatment to ASEAN investors under the agreement establishing the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA). Moreover, out of the current 64 approved projects under the ASEAN Industrial Cooperation (AICO) Scheme totaling US$769.0 million, the Philippines participates in 26 projects.

e-ASEAN Framework Agreement

At the 4th ASEAN Informal Summit in Singapore in November, the Philippines, together with other ASEAN Leaders, supported and signed the e-ASEAN Framework Agreement, which serves as a major milestone in ASEAN’s economic development.  It constitutes a broad framework to develop a free trade area for goods, services and investments for the information, communications and telecommunications industries within ASEAN

East Asia Cooperation

ASEAN has also started to look beyond its borders as it works with China, Japan and Korea towards the realization of a One East Asian Community, which envisions greater economic cooperation and prosperity in the region.

Many developments in the economic and finance sectors ensued after the ASEAN+3 Leaders adopted the Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation. The first ASEAN+3 Economic Ministers (known as AEM+3) met in Yangon, Myanmar on 02 May 2000 and identified nine priority areas for cooperation, including the new economy sectors of information technology and e- commerce. In Chiang Mai, Thailand on 07 October 2000, they identified trade and investment, information technology and e-commerce, and small and medium sized enterprises as favored areas of ASEAN+3 cooperation.

On 06 May 2000, in Chiang Mai, the ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers launched new mechanisms for financial cooperation, including a network of currency swap and repurchase arrangements as well as the possible expansion of ASEAN Surveillance Process to include China, Japan and RoK to facilitate the exchange of consistent and timely data on capital flows.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

President Estrada took part in the 8th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) held in Brunei Darussalam last November. Under the over-all theme of "Delivering to the Community" the policy work for the year focused on anticipating and meeting the needs of the region's future environment, thus ensuring the continued relevance of APEC to its communities. Throughout the year, the Philippines joined other economies in calling for renewed commitment from APEC to continue vital cooperation in building the capacity of the region's people as well as its institutions, infrastructure and markets.

The President added his voice to the clamor against the negative effects of oil price volatility on the stability and recovery of the Asian economies. He recommended that a strategic longer-term solution be crafted to promote energy security in the region.

Despite the lingering effects of the Asian economic crisis, the President reiterated the Philippines' commitment to shoring up the multilateral trading system. The Philippines supported the move to launch a new round of multilateral trade negotiations in the WTO, provided that there would be a balanced negotiating agenda that would meet the interests of both developing and developed economies.

Asia-Europe Meeting

At ASEM III, the Philippines supported the ASEM Leaders’ decision to propel trade and investment flows between Asia and Europe and approved of the Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAP). This plan focuses on e-commerce as a new priority area, and the agreement to prepare voluntary annual status reports to overcome the major generic barriers to trade as identified collectively by ASEM partners, which include intellectual property rights, mobility of business people and distribution.

World Trade Organization

Together with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department facilitates and coordinates the participation of the Philippines in the on-going WTO Negotiating Round.

In recognition of its strategic location, its large internal market and its position as a veteran in Asian economies, the Philippines is a core member of negotiating or discussion groups in WTO and outside, particularly on issues of special interest to developing countries.

United Nations

At present, we are preparing for our participation in the Rio+10 Review Conference scheduled for 2002. The Philippine Council for Sustainable Development is now carrying out its mandate to review the implementation of Philippine Agenda 21 vis-à-vis the objectives of Rio's Agenda 21. In anticipation of the 2002 conference, a multi-sectoral meeting, held by PCSD in Clark Field in mid-December, formulated an appropriate framework (PA 21 Assessment Design) for such a review.

Brunei- Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA)

The Philippines participated in the 9th BIMP-EAGA Senior Officials Meeting and 7th Ministerial Meeting held on 02-04 August 2000 in Labuan, Malaysia, and reiterated its commitment to the goals and objectives of the BIMP-EAGA. The Philippines supported initiatives that would help fast-track its activities, such as the drafting of the overall framework for small and medium enterprises, and increased trade and investment activities in the Southern Philippines. The Office of the President approved on 01 June 2000 the Philippines' financial contribution of PhP3.5 million to the East ASEAN Business Council (EABC) Secretariat.

Agriculture and Fisheries

The agriculture and fisheries sectors, vital for an archipelagic and maritime nation, have received top attention from the Estrada administration. This year, the Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture, Irrigation and Other Related Areas with China on 16 May and with Canada on 10 October.

During his visit to China, President Estrada witnessed the Exchange of Notes on the Setting-up of the Sino-Philippines Center for Agricultural Technology.

The Philippines signed with Brunei Darussalam a Memorandum of Understanding on Technical and Trade Cooperation in Fisheries on 14 November 2000, which encourages joint ventures between their respective private sectors through increased technical and trade cooperation, and helps revitalize the BIMP - EAGA.

The Philippines has also sent draft fisheries agreements to Indonesia, Malaysia and Palau. Currently, the Department is studying proposals for fisheries agreements with Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, and other countries in the Asia-Pacific.

The Department has endorsed to the Office of the President the request for ratification by the Philippine Senate of the United Nations Implementing Agreement on the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (UNIA). This Agreement seeks to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, through the effective implementation of the relevant provisions of the 1982 UNCLOS.

The Department, through its Maritime and Oceanographic Affairs Center, or MOAC, has also spearheaded efforts to participate in regional fisheries arrangements, notably the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), and the Multilateral High Level Conference on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Central and Western Pacific (MHLC).

In September 2000, the Philippines, signed the MHLC Convention, which secures access for the Philippine fishing sector to the Western and Central Pacific. The ICCAT at its meeting in November 2000, accepted the application of the Philippines for Non-Contracting Cooperating Party status. This reinforces the commitment of the Government to undertake all the necessary measures to ensure that large-scale longline vessels registered in the Philippines do not diminish the effectiveness of the ICCAT conservation and management measures including, if appropriate, the revocation of vessel registration or fishing licenses of the large-scale longline vessels concerned.

The Department also highlighted the issue of illegal, unregulated and unreported  (IUU) fishing, and has drawn the concern of the UNGA and other inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations. MOAC participated in a meeting on IUU fishing at the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), which discussed a draft International plan of Action (IPOA) to combat IUU fishing within the framework of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. MOAC has called the attention of all concerned parties in the country on the implications of IUU fishing as threats to the viability and competitiveness of the Philippine fishing industry.

Human Resources Development

Key to the Philippines’ growth and the greatest asset of the Philippine economy are its human resources. However, the Philippines needs to sustain the competent levels of knowledge and skills of its people to fully capture the net benefits of the global economy. The President emphasized this fact during the 8th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November as he expressed the importance of preparing our people for globalization and the new economy, and exhorted APEC to promote education and social safety nets particularly for the poorer sectors.

The Philippines is also eager to share its knowledge and skills with other peoples. Earlier in April 2000, the Vice-President met with Chairman Yasser Arafat in Tel-Aviv to convey the Philippines' readiness to offer technical assistance in human resources development, aquaculture and hotel/ restaurant administration. The Philippine-Palestinian Business Council was also established to sustain business linkages.

From 23 to 27 October 2000, a delegation from the Danish Maritime Authority visited the Philippines to conduct discussions, focusing on the implementation of the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). They also conducted meetings with officials concerned with the STCW Convention, and visited maritime training centers and schools.

During the 73rd Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization in London on 27 November to 06 December, the Philippines, together with other 72 IMO member-countries, was officially included in the STCW Convention's "white list." The Philippines' inclusion in the list assures the world community of the competence of Filipino seafarers, who have undergone the current regulatory regime's system of training and certification.

Environment

Within the context of Philippine Agenda 21, the Philippine Government aimed at the conservation, protection and development of the environment as a necessary component in the pursuit of sustainable development.

Thus, the clean-up of hazardous wastes in former U.S. military installations remains one of its top priorities. President Estrada signed on 18 January 2000 Executive Order 202 formally creating the Philippine Task Force on Hazardous Wastes in Former U.S. Military Installations (PTFHW), an inter-agency group co-chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Foreign Affairs which is responsible for directly addressing the issue of hazardous wastes in former U.S. bases, particularly those in Clark and Subic. The PTFWH had its First High-Level Meeting on 03 July 2000 where comprehensive plans of action to address both the long-term clean-up of the bases and the more immediate concerns surrounding the issue were presented. The Second High-Level Meeting of the PTFHW was held on 03 December 2000 where an accomplishment report on the activities of the Task Force was submitted, as well as the activities projected for 2001. As a follow-through, the President during his Working Visit to the US witnessed the signing (a) the Joint Statement on A US$ 5.0 M million Grant Under the Global Climate Change Program; and (b) the Joint Statement on A framework for Bilateral Cooperation on the Environment and Public Health.

The rehabilitation of the Pasig River in Manila is a bellwether for environmentalists. On 02 June 2000, Secretary Siazon and Danish Ambassador Peter Rosting signed an Agreement on the Phase III of the Danish Assistance to the Pasig River Rehabilitation Programme, which aims to improve living conditions in and around the Pasig River by way of the improvement in water quality, and the rehabilitation of the bordering areas of this major tributary.

The Philippines participated in the 6th Session of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC-COP6), which was held from 13 to 25 November 2000 in The Hague. This made the Kyoto Protocol operational and strengthened financial and technical cooperation on climate-friendly policies and technologies.
Social Development Services

Central to the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan, 1999 – 2004, or the Angat Pinoy 2004, is raising the poor's living standards and empowering them to fully participate in the nation’s growth and development process. Thus, the Philippine government has embarked on basic social programs for education and training, health and nutrition, social welfare, social security and safety nets.

The Philippines hosted the 3rd ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) on 16-17 February 2000 and the 2nd Meeting of ASEAN Ministers on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE) on 19 February 2000. The Meetings reviewed projects within the framework of the ASEAN Action Plan on Social Safety Nets and the Framework ASEAN Plan of Action on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication. The Meeting also discussed the Joint Declaration for a Socially Cohesive and Caring ASEAN, signed by all ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 25 July 2000, which aims to promote active cooperation among ASEAN members in such vital areas as poverty eradication, social and rural development, protection of the environment, youth development and anti-drug matters.

During the Working Visit of the President to the US, he witnessed the signing of the Agreement on US$ 20.0 Million for Additional Food Aid for Mindanao under the U.S. Public Law 480 Program.

The Philippines is also exploring the feasibility of a food-for-oil program with Iraq as a response to the UN’s call for humanitarian assistance to this country.

The US renewed its commitment to continue economic assistance in favor of Philippine efforts at domestic resource mobilization, and to advance joint efforts in promoting better environmental management and public health under the RP-US Joint Statement on A Framework for Bilateral Cooperation on the Environment and Public Health signed on 27 July 2000.

The Department also facilitated the participation of two (2) Filipino medical doctors to the Research International Symposium of Pneumococci and Pneumococcal disease in Sun City, South Africa on 19-24 March 2000.

On 08 May, Health Secretary Alberto C. Romualdez, Jr. and Finnish Ambassador Pertti Majanen signed an Agreement to improve the performance of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARI)/ Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI), which will have pilot trials in Bohol.

Likewise, during the State Visit of Prime Minister Hun Sen to the Philippines on 16 August 2000, the Philippine government signed with Cambodia the Memorandum of Understanding on Health Workers' Development Cooperation.

Currently, the Department is assisting in the ratification of the RP-Gambia Joint Cooperation on the Field of Health, an agreement which envisions closer cooperation in the field of medical research and technology and access to information and experience between medical practitioners and experts of the two countries.

Development Cooperation

Spearheading Philippine economic diplomacy, the Department has been working closely with other government agencies to generate Official Development Assistance (ODA) from partner countries and international financial institutions.

The Consultative Group (CG) Meeting for the Philippines held on 18 - 20 June 2000 at the Tagaytay Highlands was attended by representatives from the World Bank and other multilateral donor institutions, as well as from the following donor countries/ governments: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Community, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

This year, the Philippines obtained new pledges from the donors amounting to US $ 2.6 billion, less than half of the US$ 5.5 billion pledged in 1999. Taken together with the US$ 7.7 billion in committed but undisbursed funds, however, this amount brings to US$10.3 billion the total ODA for the Philippines.

 Japan

Japan remains our top bilateral source of ODA. In the year 2000, Japan's total ODA amounted to Yen 141.1 billion (approximately PhP 64.0 billion, or US$1.31 billion), which consisted of loans at Yen 134.1 billion, or approximately PhP 60.0 billion, or US$1.25 billion; and, grants at Yen 6.9 billion, or approximately PhP3.0 billion, or US$0.06 billion.

On 25 August 2000, Secretary Siazon and Japanese Ambassador Yoshihisa Ara signed an exchange of notes on the second series of projects under the Special Yen Loan Package. The second series, approximately PhP 13.89 billion, will finance three projects: the Iloilo Airport Development Project, the Subic Bay Port Development Project, and the Second Magsaysay Bridge and Bypass Road Construction Project.

Again on 11 October 2000, both exchanged notes on five projects under the General Grant Aid program (GGAP) for the year 2000. The grant-aid amounted to 5.32 billion Japanese yen and will finance five projects namely: the Rehabilitation of the Flood Control Operation and Warning System in Metro Manila; the Rehabilitation of Radar Facility at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport; the Establishment of the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory; the Detailed Design of the Construction of the Davao Medical Center; and the Actual Construction and Equipping of the Davao Medical Center.

 Korea

Secretary Siazon and Ambassador Shin Sung Oh signed on 03 July the implementing arrangements for the establishment of the Korea-Cavite Friendship Hospital in Trece Martires, Cavite. The project, which will cost US$ 3.8 million or approximately PhP162.146 pesos, will be funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency.
 
 

 The European Commission

The EC has been a dynamic partner of the Philippines in the agricultural sector. In August 2000, Secretary Siazon co-signed the EC-assisted development cooperation programme. Earlier in February, EC Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten, signed the Financing Agreement on the Support to Agrarian Reform Communities in Central Mindanao (STARCM), which amounted to PhP 747.5 million from the total cost of some PhP946.6 million. Farmers residing in 50 Agrarian Reform Communities in Central Mindanao are potential beneficiaries of this program.

On various occasions this year, the Philippines signed with the EC Riders to Financing Agreements/ Memoranda on the following projects: (1) Western Samar Agricultural Resources Development; (2) Catanduanes Agricultural Programme; (3) Aurora Integrated Areas Development Programme; (4) Agrarian Reform Support Programme; (5) National Integrated Protected Areas Programme; and, (6) SZOPAD Rehabilitation Program.

 Islamic Development Bank

In 2000, the Islamic Development Bank, the financial agency of the Organization of Islamic Countries, granted a US$ 100.0 million credit facility for the Mindanao Investment Group.

To fully optimize development assistance and enhance the government's credibility in the use of ODA, the Department carefully monitors the country's commitments relative to ODA to ensure concrete, timely and result-oriented action.

As of November 2000, ODA loans were utilized for the following: 65.0% for infrastructure projects; 16.0% for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Agrarian Reform; 9.0% for Industry and Services; 5.0% for Human Development; and, 3.0% for Development Administration.

ENSURING THE WELFARE OF FILIPINOS OVERSEAS

About one out of every ten Filipinos works or resides abroad. With an estimated eight million overseas Filipinos, extending consular assistance to our nationals remains a central function of the Department of Foreign Affairs.  In discharging this responsibility, the Department directs the work of its foreign service posts as leaders of the country teams and coordinates with other government agencies in providing assistance to overseas Filipinos.

Assisting Filipinos Abroad

In 2000, the Department of Foreign Affairs gave direct assistance to 12,963 Filipinos overseas.  Cases ranged from individual and mass repatriation to shipment of remains and personal effects to follow-up of employment, insurance and benefits claims; visits to jails and detention centers; mediation in labor and other legal disputes to tracing of whereabouts of nationals.  Philippine foreign service posts also attended to the welfare of sea-based and sea-faring Filipinos, forming the largest contingent of professional laborers abroad with approximately 200,000.

The Department also handled a total of 2,032 legal assistance cases, 112 of which were resolved in the year 2000.   The Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines on 14 July 2000, which expands its capability to lend essential legal assistance to Filipinos who are not able to hire private counsel abroad.

From October to November 2000, the Department sent missions to Qatar and Bahrain to extend legal assistance to Filipinos residing in these two countries.  Towards that end, a Memorandum of Understanding for Mutual Legal Aid was concluded with the Bahrain Law Society.

The Department closely monitored the situations in East Timor, in troubled areas in the Middle East, and Africa and in the Balkans.  Working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department evacuated forty Filipinos from the Solomon Islands during the political crisis in April 2000.

Kabayan travel advisory pamphlets were also distributed to Filipino travellers and overseas workers, providing them a handy reference on precautionary measures to take before leaving the country and upon arrival in the country of destination.

Gulf War Claims

As Chair of the Philippine Claims and Compensation Committee, the Department distributed United Nations-approved reparations to Filipino workers affected by the Gulf War in 1991.  In the year 2000, US$ 40,970,723.78 was paid to 17,334 claimants.

Policy Initiatives and Programs

In 2000, the Philippines concluded agreements on labor and manpower cooperation with countries hosting Filipino workers, including Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, the Marianas and the United States.

The Government has also concluded agreements on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, the latest of which was signed with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in April 2000.  An honorary consulate was opened in St. Petersburg, Russia, on 15 October 2000 to facilitate the provision of consular services and other forms of assistance.

On the multilateral front, the Department continued to campaign for the ratification of the 1990 United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Their Families, and the adoption of UN resolutions on the protection of women migrant workers.

The Philippine Government has hosted two meetings on immigration and consular matters in ASEAN.  The Department and the Bureau of Immigration co-sponsored the 4th Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of the Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Davao City on 16-18 October 2000.  During the meeting, the Philippines proposed the adoption of an ASEAN Declaration Against Trafficking in Women and Children.

In response to the economic crisis in ASEAN, a meeting was held in Cebu on 10-12 April 2000 to consider the outcome of the Strategic Planning Workshop in implementing work programs on labor and employment.  The body adopted a revised mission and vision statement for the ASEAN Labor Ministers Meeting, which the Philippines hosted in Manila on 11-12 May 2000.  During the Meeting, the Ministers pledged a renewed commitment to strengthen the social pillars of ASEAN and to promote the full potential and dignity of workers by adopting a new Vision and Mission Statement.  They also reiterated their position on the elimination of child labor and the de-linking of labor standards from trade issues. The Ministers also discussed various project areas, including the improvement of occupational safety, the promotion of self-employment, human resource development planning, industrial relations, and skills competition.

Amendments to the Migrant Workers’ Act

Discussions have started on amendments to Republic Act 8042, or the Migrant Workers’ Act, to make it more responsive to the needs of Filipinos overseas.  The amendatory bill on R.A. 8042 has already been introduced in the House of Representatives.  The Department has also been giving full support to Congressional initiatives affecting migrant workers, such as absentee voting and moves to penalize trafficking in women and children.

Passports and Visas

The Department issued a total of 1,081,222 passports and 85,196 visas in 2000.  Throughout the year, 19 mobile passport teams have been dispatched to various municipalities and provinces to improve access to passport services.

In order to secure the integrity of Philippine travel documents, the Department collaborated with the Southern Police District Command of the Philippine National Police to form a Quick Reaction Force against passport fixers.  As a result of this, travel agencies involved in illegal passport processing activities have been shut down or suspended, and their agents arrested.  The Department has also secured commitments from travel agencies to support the anti-passport fraud drive, culminating in a series of seminars in fraud detection in July.

PROMOTING PHILIPPINE CULTURE

Reaffirming the importance of preserving and promoting our unique and diverse cultural heritage, the Department embarked on efforts to establish closer cultural ties with countries in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America.  In May, the Department signed the Executive Program of the Philippines-China Cultural Agreement during President Estrada’s state visit to China.  Similarly, the Philippines-Mongolia Cultural Agreement was signed during Mongolian President Natsagiin Bagabandi’s state visit to the Philippines in September.  The Department continues to implement and support existing cultural cooperation programs such as the Philippines-Japan Friendship Program for the 21st Century and the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Philippines-Canada relations, the Philippines-Canada Friendship Garden was inaugurated at the Rizal Park in Manila on 15 March 2000. Bronze busts of Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, were unveiled at the Parque de la Fraternidad in Havana, Cuba and in the City of Acapulco, Mexico.  The Plazoleta Republica Argentina which features a bust of General Jose de San Martin was officially opened in Pandacan, Manila on 21 August 2000.

In an effort to increase awareness of Philippine culture in the Middle East and Africa, three Filipino film classics were featured from 18 to 21 February 2000 at the First East Asian Film Festival in Nairobi, Kenya while in Iraq, the Mindulani Group of Davao participated in the 12th Babylon International Festival with indigenous music and dances of Mindanao.

Philippine cultural ties with Europe continue to flourish and expand. Negotiations on cultural agreements with Italy, Spain, Portugal and Monaco were conducted throughout the year.   The Philippine Government signed a Cultural and Educational Agreement with Ukraine and exchanged draft bilateral agreements on Cultural and Educational Cooperation with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.  The Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Sports Commission and the State Committee of the Russian Federation of Physical Culture and Tourism.

The Philippines participated in the World Expo 2000 in Hannover, Germany in October 2000, and in the Romanian National Tourist Fair in Bucharest from 13 to 16 April 2000. In April, the Philippine Embassy in Romania showcased the UP Madrigal Singers in a concert in Bucharest. In May, His All Holiness Bartholomew I of the Greek Orthodox Church inaugurated the Church of Theotokos (the Church of the Annunciation) in Paranaque.  A six-member delegation competed in the Children of Asia Games held in Yakutsk, Russia on 5 August 2000.  In November, Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s film "Jose Rizal" was featured at the First Asian Film Festival in Madrid.

In its region, the Philippines took the lead in ASEAN efforts to promote and preserve the diverse cultures in the region.  During the 33rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok in July 2000, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers signed the Declaration on Cultural Heritage, a document drafted largely by the Philippines, calling on member countries to protect, preserve and promote the vitality and integrity of ASEAN cultural heritage.

KEEPING THE PUBLIC INFORMED

Timely and accurate information is essential in an increasingly globalized world.  This is especially true in the Philippines, where the public takes a keen interest in current events.

As a matter of policy, our Foreign service posts regularly brief their respective host Governments on the domestic situation.  At the height of the hostage crisis in Sulu, the Department regularly issued updated security situationers in order to assuage the fears of foreign tourists and businessmen planning to visit the country. Our Embassies have also made individual demarches with host governments, emphasizing that domestic differences, which emerged in the country, were being resolved through peaceful and constitutional means.

In the interest of transparency, the Department regularly gave updates and briefings on the occasion of the visit of the Special Mission from the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

In order to ensure timeliness of information, the Department issued press releases and updates on various cases involving Filipinos overseas on a regular basis.  Press briefings were also regularly scheduled two days after major international conferences.

The Department has actively participated in DEVCOMNET, an inter-agency committee of public information offices, in order to coordinate dissemination of information to the general public.

Our website has been updated on a regular basis in order to provide instant and accurate information to both the domestic and international public.

The Foreign Affairs Review, a monthly roundup of foreign affairs-related stories, has
Also been issued as a substantive supplement to the regular press briefings.

FUTURE AGENDA

New political and economic challenges in the domestic and international scenes require the Department to be more responsive and effective.  To strengthen the Department and its career service, we have embarked on an effort to update Republic Act 7157 or the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991.  We are now consulting with the Honorable Members of the Philippine Congress on a draft bill prepared by the Department.

The Department has pursued a yearlong effort on strategic planning which would take into consideration the challenges of globalization in the new millennium. Hence, in addition to the three pillars of national security, economic diplomacy and promoting the welfare and rights of Filipinos overseas, the Department’s goals also include projecting a positive image for the Philippines abroad and increasing international understanding of Philippine culture for mutually beneficial relations with other countries.

Among the Department’s future projects are actively working with OIC member-countries to assist and empower Filipinos, regardless of religion, in the Southern Philippine region. The Department wishes to show to the community of nations that the Philippine Government is sincere in its efforts to implement the 1996 GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement and thereby institute peace, order and development in Mindanao.

In its efforts to disseminate true and accurate information, the Department will be aided by the now quotidian inventions of website and instant communication. With phone, fax and e-mail, Filipinos will be up to date in the most current information about their country.

The Department would also use the bridge of culture to close gaps that may exist between our countries. In 2001, it expects to participate in the “Dialogue Among Civilizations” spearheaded by Iran. It shall continue to intitiate, negotiate, conclude and implement Cultural Agreements with other countries and participate in more people-to-people exchanges which would help the international community appreciate our multi-ethnic and culturally diverse nation.

Indeed, the New Century is a great time to embark on new beginnings.  And we thank and are counting on the support and cooperation of our friends here gathered in our new endeavors.