1.1 What is the mandate of the department of foreign affairs in terms of being the principal arm to implement foreign policy?
Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991, also known as Republic Act No. 7157, gives mandate the Department of Foreign Affairs to implement the three (3) pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy, as follows:
1. Preservation and enhancement of national security
2. Promotion and attainment of economic security
3. Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas.
These three pillars are equally important, may overlap and cannot be apart from each other. The Department of Foreign Affairs 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.
Sources:
http://www.dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/philippine-foreign-policy
http://www.dbm.gov.ph/OPIF/dfa-FINAL.pdf
1.2 What other institutions help or assist the DFA in realizing foreign policies?
In the changes happening in the global context, the DFA may be seen as somewhat outdated, in response to this the rise of NGOs in the international decision making arena has resulted in a network of consultative functions with larger voice and more critical global implications.
WTO has reshaped Philippine society in terms of migrant workers and its protection, requirements and conditions imposed on multilateral corporations and organizations in terms if legal agreements and laws.
DOLE is responsible for the implementation of policies and programs that promote gainful employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect the welfare and advancement of workers, and maintain harmonious industrial relations between and among the workers and employers in Metro Manila.
OWWA is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is the lead government agency tasked to protect and promote the welfare and well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers
POEA promotes and develops the overseas employment program and protects the rights of migrant workers
Source: Magallona, Merlin. 2007. Reflections on Philippine Foreign Policy. The UP Forum Volume 8 Number 1 January-February 2007. http://www.up.edu.ph/upforum.php?issue=17&i=128 date accessed 18 May 2010
http://www.owwa.gov.ph/index.php?page=about-owwa
2. Enumerate 8 foreign policy realities of President Arroyo, for each reality find 2- 3 related articles and then make an analysis as to what extent did President Arroyo administration work to implement the said realities?
1. China, Japan and the United States and their relationship will be a determining influence in the security situation and economic evolution of East Asia;
2. Philippine foreign policy decisions have to be made in the context of ASEAN;
3. The international Islamic community will continue to be important for the Philippines;
4. The coming years will see the growing importance of multilateral and inter-regional organizations to promote common interests;
5. As an archipelagic state, the defense of the nation's sovereignty and the protection of its environment and natural resources can be carried out only to the extent that it asserts its rights over the maritime territory and gets others to respect those rights;
6. The country's economic policy will continue to be friendly to both domestic and foreign direct investments;
7. The Philippines can benefit most quickly from international tourism
8. Overseas Filipinos will continue to be recognized for their critical role in the country's economic and social stability.
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3. With the assistance of different bureaus, institutions as well as interest groups. It is the president that drafts the policies, what do you think will be included in President Aquino’s foreign policy list now that he has assumed presidency? Identify 5 issues and find news clippings for each to support answer
1. The magnitude of the Filipino migrant worker population, over seven million makes it highly important to reintegrate roles of institutions such as POEA, DFA and OWWA to protect and safeguard rights of these OFWs due to the sudden upsurge of migrant abuses and labor mistreatments documented abroad
Article: Group sees rise in OFW labor cases worldwide by Pam Brooke Casin, June 22, 2010
http://www.mb.com.ph/node/263210/group-
2. President Aquino III should initiate or maintain stronger trade relations with other countries in order to enhance economic stability.
Article: Stronger trade, diplomatic relations seen between East Timor, Philippines
AMITA O. LEGASPI, GMANews.TV 07/01/2010 | 07:25 PM
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/194974/stronger-trade-diplomatic-relations-seen-between-east-timor-philippines
3. President Aquino III should negotiate more favorable terms in our relations, whether with bilateral partners or with international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund-World Bank (IMF-WB) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).The Philippine government’s traditional dependence on these institutions has heightened our vulnerability to these institutions’ neo-liberal prescriptions in attaining economic growth and development. Consequently the Philippines is heavily burdened by debt.
Article: IMF-WB in the Philippines: Half-Century of Anti-Development
By Sandra Nicolas
http://bulatlat.com/news/4-11/4-11-imf.html
4. President Aquino III should adapt a free market concept, liberalizing entry of foreign investments and persuade foreign investors to set up businesses in the country by means of eliminating bribery.
Article: Philippines FDI falls 41 percent: central bank
Thursday, Feb 12, 2009
http://www.yourshipbuildingnews.com/news_item.php?newsID=23766
5. Abolishment of the VFA and Balikatan exercises because it has only been used to give special treatment and extra-territorial rights to US forces which commit crimes on Philippine soil while engaged in so-called military exercises.
Article: Senate resolution: Abolish VFA by: Christine Avendaño, Christian V. Esguerra on Philippine Daily Inquirer, 02/17/2009
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090217-189591/Senate-resolution-Abolish-VFA
4. How significant is the ASEAN in Philippine Foreign Policy?
The Association of Southeast East Nations (ASEAN) is the cornerstone of Philippine multilateral diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region. Through ASEAN, the Philippines has promoted stronger ties among member states and between ASEAN and China. ASEAN members, including the Philippines have been guided by a sense of community in their foreign policy cooperation. It focuses on ASEAN decision-making in relation to diplomatic initiatives relevant to the grouping's security. Furthermore there is a significant impact on ASEAN cooperation in the sphere of policy process, affecting policy outcomes, as the final result of the decision-making process is supposed to reflect the sensitivities and vital interests of all members
Sources: http://www.globalasia.org/V4N3_Fall_2009/Renato_Cruz_De_Castro.html
Contemporary Southeast Asia Article dated April 1, 2000
Author: NISCHALKE, TOBIAS INGO Copyright
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