1) What is the mandate of the DFA in terms of being the principal arm to implement foreign policy? What other institutions help on assist the DFA in realizing foreign policy?
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advises and assists the President in planning, organizing,
directing, coordinating, integrating, and evaluating the total national effort in the field of foreign
relations in pursuit of its Constitutional mandate.
http://www.dbm.gov.ph/OPIF/dfa-FINAL.pdf
UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines
The UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM)
logo consists of the UNESCO’s official emblem (the acropolis, its
columns formed by the acronym of the organization) and its
complete name beneath the temple in several languages, to show
that the organization is part of the UN system and that it covers and
defends cultural diversities. The temple itself, patterned after the
Greek “high city”, symbolizes power and protection for those under
its wings. A symbol of Greek civilization and democracy, the
acropolis is an apt representation for UNESCO and its member-
states, including the Philippines, as they look up to the organization
as a citadel or rallying point for the dynamic forces of education,
science, and culture to promote total development. A line of dots
in progression completes the logo. It modernizes the emblem
with its touch of movement and airiness.
http://www.dbm.gov.ph/OPIF/dfa-FINAL.pdf
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) serves as the center for the development and professionalization
of the career foreign service corps. A research institution on issues and problems with foreign
policy implications, as well as on global and regional strategies and management of foreign affairs,
the FSI acts as DFA’s institutional consultant on matters related to foreign policies and programs,
and development management, planning, and review.
http://www.dbm.gov.ph/OPIF/dfa-FINAL.pdf
The Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (TCCP) acts as the national focal point for
Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC) and as such implements a technical
cooperation program in favor of developing and least developed countries (DCs and LDCs),
coordinates related projects and activities implemented by government- and non-government
organizations, and undertakes research on the technical assistance requirements of DCs and LDCs.
http://www.dbm.gov.ph/OPIF/dfa-FINAL.pdf
2)Enumerate the EIGHT FOREIGN POLICY REALITIES of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. For each reality find 2-3 related news articles and make an analysis as to what extent did the Arroyo administration work to implement the said realities.
Iraq War
The Arroyo administration has forged a strong relationship with the United States. Arroyo was one of the first world leaders who expressed support for the US-led coalition against global terrorism in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and remains one of its closest allies in the war on terror, Following the US-led invasion of Iraq, in July 2003 the Philippines sent a small humanitarian contingent which included medics and engineers. These troops were recalled in July 2004 in response to the kidnapping of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz. With the hostage takers demands met, the hostage was released. The force was previously due to leave Iraq the following month. The early pullout drew international condemnation, with the United States protesting against the action, saying giving in to terrorist demands should not be an option.
ASEAN Summit
Arroyo's foreign policy is anchored on building strong ties with the United States, East Asian and Southeast Asian nations, and countries where overseas Filipino workers work and live In 2007, the Philippines was host to the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu City.
Philippines-Japan Trade Deal
On August 21, 2007, Arroyo's administration asked the Senate of the Philippines to ratify a $4bn (£2bn) trade deal with Japan (signed on 2006 with the former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi), which would create more than 300,000 jobs (by specifically increasing local exports such as shrimp to Japan). Japan also promised to hire at least 1,000 Philippine nurses. The opposition-dominated senate objected on the ground that toxic wastes would be sent to the Philippines; the government denied this due to the diplomatic notes which stated that it would not be accepting Japanese waste in exchange for economic concessions.
Council of Women World Leaders
In keeping with this international mission, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a member of the Council of Women World Leaders, an International network of current and former women presidents and prime ministers whose mission is to mobilize the highest-level women leaders globally for collective action on issues of critical importance to women and equitable development.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Gloria_Macapagal-Arroyo#cite_note-cnna-46
1) China, Japan and US and their relationship will be a determining influence in the security situation and economic evolution of east asia
2) Philippine foreign policy have to be made in the context of ASEAN
3) The Islamic community will continue to be important
4) The importance of multilateral and inter-regional organizations
5) As an archipelagic state, the defense of the nations sovereignty and the protection of it’s environment and natural resources could be carried out only to the extent that if asserts the rights of our maritime territory and gets others to respect these rights
6) Country’s economic policy will continue to be friendly to both domestic and foreign direct investments
7) The Philippines can benefit most quickly from the international tourism
8) Overseas Filipinos will continue tp be recognized for this critical role in the country’s economic and social stability
Philippines fight over trade deal
| Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is keen for the deal to be ratified |
The Philippine government is urging the country's senate to ratify a $4bn (£2bn) trade deal with Japan, which it says may create more than 300,000 jobs.
The agreement, struck last year, would bolster local exports such as shrimp to Japan, the government said, a market being eyed by trading rival Thailand.
Japan has also pledged to employ at least 1,000 Philippine nurses.
But the opposition-dominated senate has objected with claims the deal would see toxic waste sent to the Philippines.
However, this has been denied by the government, which said that diplomatic notes had been exchanged stating that it would not be accepting Japanese waste in exchange for economic concessions.
The deal was originally struck last year by president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Since then a number of Japanese firms have expressed an interest in investing about $4bn in the Philippine economy, with food, automotive and textile industries among those being targeted.
Japan is currently the second largest buyer of produce such as bananas and pineapples from the Philippines, after the US
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6957128.stm
3)with the assistance og different bureaus, institutions as well as interest groups, it is the President that drafts state policies. What do you think will be included in the President Noynoy Aquino's foreign policy list now that he has assumed presidency? Identify 5 issues and find news clippings (at least one for each issue) to support your answer.
Be responsive to OFWs, Aquino orders DFA, other agencies
By Cynthia Balana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:32:00 07/06/2010
Filed Under: News, Labor, Foreign affairs & international relations, Overseas Employment
MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino has ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs and other concerned departments and agencies in the government to be even more responsive to the needs and welfare of overseas Filipino workers.
Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said this Tuesday as he assured the President during the first Cabinet meeting that the DFA would further improve its assistance to the OFWs.
Romulo said the protection of OFWs, and the creation of jobs at home so that they will no longer look for employment abroad were among the policies of the Aquino administration that were very well taken.
He said that as the government works toward that end, the President ordered the DFA, the Department of Labor, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority and other agencies to be even more responsive to the needs and welfare of OFWs.
“In fact, he gave me this directive to be responsive to the needs of overseas workers and that's part of his programs – jobs, education and health,” the secretary said in an interview over ANC network.
“And I tell you, he means to implement that. In fact, these are the marching orders that we got in the Cabinet meeting. It will certainly help our deployment of our Filipinos abroad,” he added.
Romulo also lauded the President's statement in his inaugural speech that the country will continue to maintain good relations with the international community. But the President said the international affairs would have to take a back seat to more pressing domestic issues, which would tantamount to delaying any possible foreign trips that he might make.
“Well, that is a good statement because I believe and I think the President also believes that foreign policy is an extension of domestic policy and that foreign policy, in fact, starts at home and that the more effective and strong the domestic policy, the more effective and strong is the foreign policy,” Romulo stressed.
Romulo also said that Mr. Aquino has made important policy pronouncements as far as foreign policy was concerned.
He cited as an example the President's promise to make the Philippines attractive to investors by cutting red tape, combating corruption and making government “an enabler,” or making it work instead of acting as a hindrance.
“One of the pillars of our foreign policy is economic diplomacy. This redounds overwhelmingly with the foreign community and that's what he was telling me so that this strong domestic policy will reverberate all over the world, with investors. That's what they're waiting for. No red tape, reform the bureaucracy,” Romulo said.
Call on H.E. Mr. Benigno Aquino, President of the Republic of the Philippines by H.E. Mr. Osamu Fujimura, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Ambassador on Special Mission)
0.On July 1, H.E. Mr. Osamu Fujimura, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Manila to attend the Inauguration Ceremony of the President and Vice-President of the Republic of the Philippines on June 30 as Ambassador on Special Mission, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, President of the Philippines, at the Malacanang Palace.
0.During the meeting with the President, State Secretary Fujimura transmitted the congratulatory message from H.M. the Emperor of Japan and also expressed on behalf of the Government of Japan congratulations on the inauguration of President Aquino. He also expressed hope that the two countries would further strengthen their partnership under the new administrations on both sides, led by Prime Minister Kan and President Aquino respectively. State Secretary Fujimura further stated that Japan, as the top donor to the Philippines, would remain committed to assisting the Philippines through the ODA (Official Development Assistance), and informed the President that the Japanese government had newly approved a project to provide public schools in Luzon and Visayas region with personal computers(*). Furthermore, State Secretary Fujimura renewed Japan’s commitment to supporting and contributing to the Mindanao peace process.
0.In response, President Aquino expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support to the Philippines through ODA and its contribution to the Mindanao peace process. He also stated that his administration would address the task of improving the business environment for the Japanese companies.
0.State Secretary Fujimura also referred to the inauguration speech by the President which stressed the importance of education. Both sides shared the view that it is most important for the state to support education to ensure a better future for children.
(*) Note: The project will provide the total of 7,750 desktop computers to 775 public high schools in Luzon and Visayas, giving at least 170,000 students a hands-on experience with computers. 775 teachers are also expected to train themselves in using computers as education material.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2010/7/0701_01.html
4) how significant is the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Philippine Foreign Policy?
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
As a founding member of the ASEAN, the Philippines fully supports the vision for a more
united and integrated ASEAN Community, working together towards economic growth, social
progress, and cultural development in the region.2 The goverment considers the large market of
ASEAN as responsive to its economic development; however, it cannot be denied that ASEAN is also
becoming more and more an instrument towards the security of the region. Thus, the Philippines shall
continue to share intelligence and operational information with its allies in Indonesia and Malaysia to
curtail the movements of the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Al Qaeda cells in the region (Chapter 23:
Defense Against Threats to National Security).
http://www.neda.gov.ph/ads/mtpdp/MTPDP2004-2010/PDF/MTPDP%202004-2010%20NEDA_Chapterx24_FPolicy.pdf
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