15 April 2004, Dublin, Ireland – As the first Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs to visit Ireland, Secretary Delia Domingo Albert was warmly welcomed today by the Filipino Community in Dublin, Ireland and assured them of the Philippine Government’s continued efforts to protect their rights and ensure their welfare. The Secretary is in Ireland for the 6th Asia Europe Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

“Protecting and promoting your rights and welfare are major thrusts of the Government and the Department. The President has strengthened the domestic legal structure that protects women and children from violence and illegal trafficking. The Department works closely with your host governments to ensure your rights while at the same time working with the international community and international organizations like the United Nations to strengthen the international rules and laws on your behalf,” the Secretary told the gathered Filipinos, mentioning her recent initiatives at the UN Commission on Human Rights and her meetings with Secretary General Kofi Annan and UN General Assembly President Julian Hunte, where both international leaders expressed support for her initiatives on behalf of migrant workers (please see DFA Press Releases SFA-DDA-193-04, 194-04, 195-04, 197-04).

The Secretary also outlined the three main pillars of Philippine foreign policy that guided the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs. “My task and the task of my Department are to protect our national security, pursue our economic growth and development and protect our overseas Filipinos,” the Secretary told the gathering. The Secretary showed that these three main thrusts of the Department are inter-related and that all have to be pursued with the same vigor and determination, prompting Marissa G., a Filipina caregiver and recent arrival in Dublin to say after the event “I now have a better understanding of how government works for us even while we are away from our country. We hope we can get more from our government but tonight’s speech was very educational. I always looked at the DFA only as the one that issues passports.”

Members of the Filipino Community asked the Secretary for her help in convincing the Irish Government to review its immigration laws and procedures in order for the Filipinos in Ireland to be able to stay longer and for the Irish government to recognize the educational and professional qualifications of Filipinos.
 
The Secretary assured the gathering that she would make direct and strong representations with the Irish Government on their behalf, particularly when she meets with Irish Deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney and Irish President Mary McAleese on Monday (19 April). She also said that as Philippine Ambassador to Australia, she succeeded in getting the Australian Government to seriously consider giving proper recognition to the educational and professional qualifications of Filipinos, allowing these Filipinos to practice their professions. “This is a long and difficult process but it is not impossible. You can be assured that your Government will do its best for you, as it has done in other countries,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary also challenged the members of the Filipino Community to be even more united not only in their advocacy for reforms in Irish Immigration laws and procedures but also in achieving their dream of a Filipino Community Center. “I have seen for myself what Filipinos can do once they are united. I have seen host governments galvanized into action, Filipino centers spring up and Filipinos being elected to high offices. Your unity and your partnership with the Philippine Government will be the key to our success,” she said.

Esther B. O’Hanlon, a Filipina who has been in Ireland for over forty years expressed her appreciation for the visit of the Secretary. “Madam Secretary, thank you for being one with us. We always long to hear about our country and we are proud of our President who had appointed you and other qualified women like you to the Cabinet,” Mrs. O’Hanlon told the Secretary during the dialogue portion of the night’s gathering, to the applause of the other Filipinos present, composed mostly of women.

The Secretary also told the Filipino Community that she will be visiting Filipinos at their place of work tomorrow. “Your Government’s concern for your welfare demands that I personally see your places and conditions of work and to convey to your employers our Government’s continued vigilance and concern for you, not only to your host government but also to your employers,” the Secretary told the Filipino Community.

The Secretary then joined the members of the Filipino Community in a mini-fiesta that showcased Filipino food and delicacies while a live band played native Irish music. The Secretary and Filipino Community leaders continued their dialogue over Filipino food and Irish music. END.