About the DFA 
Introduction
The year 2008 underscored the DFA's core commitment to a people-oriented foreign policy as it implemented its broad mandate to enhance the country's political and economic security while maintaining friendly relations with other nations. The Department's officials and staff supported efforts of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to build a stronger republic through a people-oriented foreign policy agenda aimed at enhancing national security and strengthening bilateral, regional, and international partnerships.
Delivering Frontline Services for the People
The DFA's commitment to put the Filipino first in its agenda is highlighted in the measures that improved its frontline services in terms of speed of delivery and quality of service rendered.
DFA modernized the Philippine passport with the introduction of the Machine- Readable Passport in 2007, which is ICAO-compliant, two years before the international deadline. With its enhanced security and modern features, the Machine- Readable Passport results in faster processing at immigration lines abroad. From January to December 2008, some 2.3 million machine-readable passports were issued.
Delivering in Far Areas
To service the needs of Filipinos residing outside the National Capital Region, thirteen (13) Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) located in major cities all over the Philippines are now providing consular services to the Filipino public with the opening of the RCOs in Butuan City in May 2008, and in Bacolod City in July 2008. Arrangements are underway for the opening of four more RCOs in Puerto Princesa, Baguio, General Santos and Cotabato.
The DFA continued to regularly conduct Mobile Passport Services (MPS), particularly in areas where there are no RCOs,. From January to December this year, the DFA conducted 317 mobile passport services, issuing 116,559 passports.
The DFA opened Foreign Service Posts in Macau Special Administrative Region, China; Frankfurt, Germany and Damascus, Syria to further advance Philippine interests. New Foreign Service Posts expected to be opened in 2009 are Dublin PE (Ireland); Helsinki PE (Finland); Lisbon PE (Portugal); Warsaw PE (Poland); Chongqing PCG (China); and the Permanent Mission to ASEAN (Indonesia).
Defending Filipinos Abroad
In 2008, the DFA assisted 7,996 OFWs in distress. In particular, the Department coordinated the release of 164 sea-based Filipino workers in emergency situations, of which the 117 Filipino seafarers held hostage in Somalia were successfully returned to the Philippines. There are continuing efforts to secure the safety and early release of the remaining seafarers still being held hostage by pirates.
The DFA also monitored and negotiated death penalty cases involving Philippine nationals. Since 2006, the Department has actively monitored 68 death penalty cases. Through active negotiations and the employment of diplomatic means, 26 death penalty cases have been commuted and now dropped from the list.
Deepening and Fostering Alliances
Another important pillar of foreign policy is enhancing national security and strengthening international partnerships.
It was under the Philippines' Chairmanship that the drafting of the historic ASEAN Charter began. The ASEAN Charter entered into force on 15 December 2008.The Charter, includes in particular, a provision for the creation of a Human Rights Body which the Philippines has consistently advocated. The DFA is now participating actively in the High Level Panel which is drafting the Terms of Reference for this body.
Human Rights
In relation to the country's commitment to protect and promote human rights, the Philippines was one of the first batch of countries to be reviewed under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the United Nations. The country underwent the process in April 2008 and was commended by delegations for its open, constructive and comprehensive national report. The report of the Working Group of the Philippines' UPR was successfully adopted by the Human Rights Council in June 2008 in plenary. The Department participated actively in the preparations and subsequent country presentation in the UPR.
As further proof of the international confidence in the Philippines and after its re-election in 2007 as Council Member, the country was elected as Vice-Chair of the UN Human Rights Council in early 2008.
Migration
In keeping with the commitment to promote and protect the rights and interests of migrant workers in the international arena, the Philippines chaired and hosted the Second Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD), which was held in Manila on 27-28 October 2008. With the theme "Protecting and Empowering Migrants for Development", the successful Second GFMD was participated in by 159 countries with 732 delegates and 33 International Organizations with 182 Delegates.
Taking off from the Brussels process, the Manila GFMD also featured back-to-back sessions by the civil society and government representatives. The Civil Society Meeting, however was extended to two days with an opportunity for interaction between civil and government representatives. This was a key recommendation made by the Department which brought about greater cooperation between government and civil society by way of closer interaction and constructive inputs.
Interfaith Dialogue
At the same time, the DFA strengthened its ability to marshal global consensus on a key and strategic area of interfaith dialogue.
The Philippines participated during the 46th and 47th Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly on Agenda Item "Culture of Peace", New York, 12-13 November 2008 where a Philippine-initiated resolution calling on member-states to take steps to further promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance and understanding was adopted.
President Arroyo, during the 63rd UN General Assembly, invited the participation of world leaders at the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development to be held in Manila in December 2009.
United Nations
H.E. President Arroyo attended the 63rd United Nations General Assembly in September 2008. President Arroyo was the fourth world leader to speak on the first day at the High-Level Debate, marking a historic moment for Philippine participation in the United Nations. She was preceded only by the US President, the President of Brazil, and the French President. She put forward Philippine concerns on key international issues (e.g., peace and security, climate change, food and energy security) and highlighted the country's progress before the international community. In her bilateral meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, she highlighted that the Philippines was among the top 30 troop and police contributing countries and one of the largest providers of individual police officers to UN peacekeeping operations.
Developing Foreign Assistance and Investments
A third pillar of foreign policy is the achievement of national economic development through diplomacy. The Department's work in economic diplomacy is focused on supporting and enhancing local development efforts, through the promotion of foreign direct investments in the Philippines, strengthening bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation and harnessing official development assistance.
DFA helped prepare the groundwork for the Presidential and high-level visits to other countries, including the United States, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Hong Kong, and the People's Republic of China.
The President's visits to Switzerland, the UAE, Hong Kong and the United States were particularly fruitful. In Switzerland, the President addressed key global business leaders and decision makers in the World Economic Forum and encouraged Swiss investors to raise their stakes in the Philippines. In Dubai, several agreements were signed which paved the way for an expansion in economic relations. The visit also resulted in two investment missions from the UAE to Manila. In Hong Kong, the President won commitments for a US$2 billion investment from Shimao Property Holdings Limited. Shimao has lined up two property development projects in the Philippines-in Fort Bonifacio and Eastern Samar.
During the visit to the United States, the President obtained a pledge of at least US$20 million for the Coral Triangle Initiative, as well as made headway in the longstanding fight for the passage of the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act.
APEC
During the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Peru in November, the President called for stronger resolve to address the effects of the global financial crisis, especially on the poor. The Philippines also called for the resumption of the stalled Doha Round of multilateral trade talks in order to make more equitable the benefits of globalization.
JPEPA
The Philippines and Japan signed and exchanged notes on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) on 11 November 2008. JPEPA entered into force on 11 December 2008. The agreement institutionalized an effective legal framework for the liberalization of trade in goods and services, and the smooth movement of people, capital and information between Japan and the Philippines.
Air Services Agreements
The Philippines concluded air services consultations talks with Hong Kong, Cambodia, Canada, Macau, Palau, Netherlands, Thailand, Iran, Finland, Malaysia, Japan, and Russia to forge more air transport agreements.
The successful conclusion of these air services consultation will increase visitor arrivals between each of the countries involved, as well as further bolster bilateral trade and investment.
Peace Process
The Department sustained its support for the peace process in the country by gaining the assistance of Norway in the Oslo Process which provides the framework for the possible resumption of peace talks between the GRP and the NDF-CPP-NPA. It also gained the possible assistance of the United Kingdom in providing best practices from the Northern Ireland peace agreement for the Mindanao Peace Process.
President Arroyo appointed the Department's Undersecretary Rafael Seguis as the new chair of the government peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The appointment indicates the government's willingness to resume peace negotiations with the group. The DFA will continue to rise to the challenge of the peace process under the guidance of President Arroyo by seeking deeper engagement with the international community in hopes of making progress in the peace building process.
