DFA Releases

Joint Statement between the Philippines and the United States on the USS Guardian Grounding on Tubbataha Reef

Wednesday, 06 February 2013 10:01
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5 February 2013

Since the grounding of the USS Guardian on the Tubbataha Reef on January 17, a series of meetings between the Philippine Government and the United States (U.S.) Embassy officials have been held to discuss the incident.

These meetings have included representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), along with representatives of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Embassy.

In a meeting at the DFA on February 4, U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. reiterated his regrets over the grounding incident and assured Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario that the United States will provide appropriate compensation for damage to the reef caused by the ship.

The Philippine government stated that the Philippine Coast Guard had commenced its independent inquiry into the grounding of the USS Guardian. Upon receipt of information on the incident, the Philippine Coast Guard formed the Maritime Casualty Investigation Team (MCIT) in accordance with its standard procedures and resolutions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on serious maritime incidents to establish the circumstances and causes of the grounding on Tubbataha Reef and to formulate safety measures to prevent a repetition of this incident.

In the meeting, the two governments agreed to cooperate during investigations of the grounding incident.

With an emphasis on protecting the marine environment, preparations for the salvage of the USS Guardian began shortly after the grounding occurred and include the removal of 15,000 gallons of fuel and other potentially harmful material. A salvage plan has been submitted to PCG for approval and clearance. PCG will share the salvage plan with the Tubbataha Management Office. It is expected that the start of the salvage operation will be announced shortly. In the meantime, the United States is coordinating closely with PCG in the salvage operation to extract the USS Guardian from the reef.

The two governments agreed to continue to work closely together as the salvage operation and the investigation into the grounding proceed. Both governments agree that preventing further damage to the reef is a top priority. END

 

DFA-ASEAN Announces Job Vacancy from ASEAN Foundation

Wednesday, 06 February 2013 10:00
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6 February 2013 – The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of ASEAN Affairs announced today that the ASEAN Foundation, which is based in Jakarta, Indonesia, is looking for interested applicants for the position of Executive Director.

The Executive Director shall represent the ASEAN Foundation in all administrative and operational matters, including managing its activities, initiating plans and programmes, appointing and supervising the staff members, raising funds, and performing any other functions and responsibilities entrusted to him/her by the Board of Trustees.

Interested applicants should have the following qualifications:

  • Be a national of an ASEAN Member State.
  • Preferably have an advanced degree or professional qualifications in an appropriate discipline.
  • Have 10-15 years of professional experience, at least 5 years of which have been at a senior level.
  • Have proven skills in leadership, administration, executive management and planning.
  • Have knowledge of the necessary and relevant background on ASEAN and in diplomatic practices.
  • Have extensive experience in fund-raising and/or management (programme management, financial management).
  • Have the necessary skills to cultivate good working relationship with governments of ASEAN Member States and its partners, relevant international and regional bodies as well as with various sectors, such as foundations and civil society organisations, especially within the Southeast Asian region.
  • Have fluency in English.

Furthermore, the successful candidate should be able to present a General Health Certificate.

The successful candidate for the position will receive an attractive package consisting of monthly basic salary of USD 6,000.00, with other applicable benefits, including housing, medical, education of eligible dependent children.

The post will be based in Jakarta, Indonesia, for a non-renewable term of three years starting in mid-January 2014.

Interested applicants may send their application letter indicating the applied position, curriculum vitae, and recent photograph to the following address or through e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it :

Post AF-ED

ASEAN Foundation

2 Jl. Sam Ratulangi, Menteng
Jakarta 10350, Indonesia

ASEAN Foundation will receive applications only until 15 May 2013. Further information may likewise be viewed at http://www.aseanfoundation.org/index2.php?main=jobs.htm. END

 

 
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