14 December 2013 – As part of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA’s) efforts to increase the public’s awareness of its role in the pursuit of the national interest and in nation-building, DFA Spokesperson Raul S. Hernandez delivered a lecture on the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy before a large congregation of college students in Baguio City.

The lecture was held on December 13 at the Navy Base Campus of Saint Louis University (SLU).

The venue was filled to capacity, as more than 700 students turned up for the lecture. Apart from SLU, other schools in Baguio City were represented, including the University of Baguio, PATS School of Aeronautics, BSBT College, AMA Computer College, and Baguio Central University. Also present were the regional bureaus of various media organizations, such as the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), ABS-CBN, GMA News, Solar
News, Bombo Radyo, DZWT, Radyo ng Bayan, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sunstar, Amianan Balita Ngayon and SkyCable.

Spokesperson Hernandez explained the DFA’s mandate, objectives and initiatives with regard to the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, focusing on passport and assistance-to-nationals services, economic diplomacy activities, and the measures to protect the national territory, among others.

Spokesperson Hernandez stressed the Philippines’ adherence to the peaceful settlement of disputes and the rule of law, as demonstrated by the decision to bring the West Philippine Sea issue before an independent international arbitral tribunal.

In a lively Q&A, the DFA Spokesperson engaged audience members who were interested to know more about the DFA’s stand on a variety of issues including the framework agreement on Increased Rotational Presence with the the United States, protection of overseas Filipinos and repatriation efforts in Syria, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Philippine participation in the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit, partnership with allies on building minimum credible defense posture and cultural diplomacy.

Several students and faculty members were likewise interested in the DFA’s role in the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 and the effects of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement on the local economy.

Spokesperson Hernandez also encouraged the students to join the ranks of the Philippine Foreign Service Corps, describing it as “one of the best ways to serve the nation.”

The lecture was made possible with the support and cooperation of Saint Louis University, headed by its President, Rev. Fr. Jessie M. Hechanova, CICM, and the DFA Regional Consular Office in Baguio, led by Mr. Edgar Canta. Assisting the DFA Spokesperson were Principal Assistants Sharon Johnnette Agduma and  Darell Ann Artates from the DFA-Public Information Services Unit.

This is the second lecture on Philippine foreign policy conducted by the DFA in the City of Pines this year, and the sixth in a series of lectures held in the cities of Cebu, Dumaguete, Marawi and Puerto Princesa. END