What We Are to Filipinos Overseas

It has been a while since I have had to appear before the legislature to present a budget.  Until recently, I was not quite at the receiving end of things.

When a Filipino is in the Philippines, he has the whole machinery of government to look after his interests.  The Departments of Defense and Local Government look after his security, the Department of Health looks after his physical well-being, the Department of Justice protects his civil rights, and the Comelec assures him of his right to select the leaders of his government.

Once that Filipino steps out of the country, I and my Department become primarily everything that the Philippine government is to him when he was in the Philippines, including, and hopefully soon, being in charge of making sure that his vote is cast and counted.   And the numbers are not small.  Ten percent of our population is found beyond our shores.  It is fortunate that in these tasks we have the full cooperation of other Departments.

Over 7 million Filipinos are out in the world, in at least 140 countries and on every ocean.  And it is a world  that is seen by many as a radically changed world, a world of civilizations apparently at odds, a world of increasing uncertainty.

Issues of Which I Am Certainty

What is certain is my determination, and that of the men and women of my Department, to do everything we can to protect the welfare, safety and interests of Filipinos overseas.

What is certain is our commitment to bring growth and development to our country through our economic diplomacy and our full participation in the global economy.

What is certain is our pledge to advance our political and security interests by building on our diplomatic relations and reinforcing our strategic partnerships.

And, what is certain is my own resolve to reform the Department, to professionalize and modernize the career service and to transform it into a world-class institution.  We look to Congress, particularly the proposed new Foreign Service Act as the single most important vehicle through which we can achieve this.

We fully intend to address the critical developments taking place around the world and anticipate foreseeable crises, breakthroughs, opportunities and challenges that have long-term, comprehensive and profound implications on the life of the nation and the well-being of the Filipino people – the 75 million in their homeland and the seven million more overseas.

It is in this sense that developments anywhere impact on the Philippines. Any tragedy, disruption, upheaval or violent change is likely to affect the safety or welfare of overseas Filipinos, particularly our overseas workers, summoning the attention and action of the Philippine Government.

The Resources We Need

And to do all this, I ask for only one half of one percent of the national budget or P4,464,076.00.  This is a budget that is less than last year’s budget.  Though the demands on my Department and the overseas costs of carrying out our mandates have not decreased at all.

It is smaller than last year’s budget though we have maintained our collection targets. In 2002, we collected a total of 2.3 billion pesos. For 2002, 1.8 billion pesos has already been booked against a target of 2.1 billion pesos.  While we are not primarily an income generating Department, we have earned what is essentially half of our budget.

We are placing the bulk of our budget, or 67 per cent, on the most precious resource of the Department – our personnel, both in the Home Office and abroad.  29 per cent goes to our maintenance and other operating expenses, while four per cent goes to capital outlay.

Using Our Income

Given the demands on my Department and the fact that many of our expenditures are subject to foreign currency upswings, I would like to request that the Department be allowed to use its income, chargeable against the Unprogrammed Fund, to cover the imminent foreign exchange losses that we will have to absorb in our operations for 2003.

Our foreign currency costs relate not only to personnel and operations, but also to expenditures to assist our nationals and to fund our treaty commitments and our international organization obligations.

To Make the Most of What We Have

I fully understand and appreciate the financial constraints which face our government.  I believe that, for the Department’s budget, we have submitted the minimum level possible.  To grant a lower budget would severely cripple the operations of the Department.

We will make the most of what will be given to us.  We need more if we are to meet all the funding requirements of our multifarious and ever expanding work in an extremely tough, complex and competitive global environment.

We will make the most of what will be given to us.  The ingenuity, fortitude and deep sens of commitment of the men and women of the Department of Foreign Affairs will make sure of this.  I am proud to lead the dedicated officers and staff of the Department, particularly during these challenging times.

I submit to you the 2003 budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Thank you.