30 April 2004 – The first-ever Department of Foreign Affairs public service radio program tagged “DFA Ngayon” successfully aired its second episode last Sunday and featured the passport services of the Department.  However, the highlight of Sunday’s episode was a phone interview with Secretary of Foreign
Affairs Delia Domingo Albert who was in Canberra, the administrative capital of Australia.

Speaking in Filipino Secretary Albert said that she had very much wanted to be in the studio for the program’s pilot episode on 18 April but that she had to be in Europe for the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) with her counterparts from 24 other Asian and European nations.  “It is
unfortunate that I wasn’t able to be with you on the program’s first episode since I had to attend meetings in Europe wherein I was able to speak with the Filipino Communities in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Norway, as well as meet with the leaders of various European and Asian countries,” the Secretary said.

Secretary Albert also expressed optimism that “DFA Ngayon” will be able to bring the work of DFA closer to the Filipino people and help the Department enhance the delivery of its services to its stakeholders.  “We hope that you (radio listeners) will support our radio program and that we will hear your thoughts
and suggestions, which will help us better serve the Filipino nation,” she told listeners of the radio program.

The Secretary was in Australia for the last leg of her foreign visits this April.  While in Australia, Secretary Albert met with Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock to review steps taken by both countries to implement their bilateral agreements on cooperation against international terrorism and transnational crime.  Secretary Albert also received the assurance of the Australian Government through Ms. Christine Gallus, Parliamentary Secretary of Foreign Affairs in Charge of Official Development Assistance (ODA), for the continued support to the Philippines’ economic development programs through the provision of its ODA, particularly those earmarked for Mindanao.

DFA Ngayon will be broadcast every Sunday at 9 to 10 in the morning through DWIZ-AM 882 kHz.  Each program will feature speakers from the various offices of the Department who will explain and answer questions on the functions of their office and activities in their area of work within the Department.  This
Sunday’s featured topic will be Overseas Absentee Voting and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.  END.