30 November 2013 – As part of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA’s) efforts to give the public a better understanding of its functions, DFA Spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Raul S. Hernandez delivered a lecture on Philippine foreign policy before 160 students of Palawan State University (PSU) and other schools in Puerto Princesa.
The lecture was held on November 29 on PSU’s Puerto Princesa campus.
The Spokesperson explained the various functions and initiatives under the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, such as passport and assistance-to-nationals services, economic diplomacy initiatives and the arbitration case based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), among others.
Living in a province with a long coastline facing the West Philippine Sea, the students and faculty members paid particular attention to the first pillar, the protection of our national security. Spokesperson Hernandez assured them that the Government is doing its best to preserve our country’s territorial integrity and the resources that rightfully belong to the Filipino people.
He underscored the country’s adherence to the peaceful settlement of disputes and the rule of law as demonstrated by the case filed against China, which he described as an “open, friendly and durable approach” to dispute settlement.
“Sa mata ng international law, pantay-pantay tayo (In the eyes of international law, we are all equal). Even in our relationship with other countries we are guided by the principle of daang matuwid,” he remarked.
The Spokesperson also encouraged the students to take part in the DFA’s pursuit of our national interest by joining the Foreign Service and “to strive for and live by the principles of excellence, integrity and patriotism.”
The lecture was attended by Puerto Princesa Vice Mayor Luis Marcaida III, PSU President, Dr. Jeter Sespeñe, PSU Vice President, Dr. Lorna C. Gelito, Dean Gabilyn G. Orilla of PSU’s College of Arts and Humanities, Social Science professor Jose Homo, DFA Public Information Services Unit Principal Assistants Sharon Johnnette Agduma and Alvin Malasig, and DFA Puerto Princesa Officer-in-Charge Liza Jane Estalilla. This is the fifth in a series of lectures on Philippine foreign policy conducted by the DFA in a provincial city this year after Baguio, Cebu, Dumaguete and Marawi. END
