DFA Mindanao Assistant Secretary, Indonesian Consul General Tackle Bilateral Relations and Regional Cooperation at the Holy Cross of Davao College Institute
DFA Mindanao Assistant Secretary Renato Pedro O. Villa (left) discussed PH-European Bilateral Relations while CGRI Consul General Achmad Djatmiko (right) discussed bilateral and regional cooperation with PH and ASEAN respectively (MinDA photo)
DAVAO 18 April 2023 – DFA Mindanao Assistant Secretary Renato Pedro O. Villa and Consul General Achmad Djatmiko of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City were the featured lecturers during the 3rd Ambassador’s Lecture Series on 13 April 2023 at the Cross Theater of the Holy Cross of Davao College. The lecture series was organized by the Holy Cross of Davao College-Institute of ASEAN-European Studies (HCDC-IAES), through its HCDC Center for Linkages, Internationalization and Language Studies, and in cooperation with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.
The Ambassador’s Lecture Series of HCDC aims to promote challenging and intellectually stimulating lectures for the students, faculty members, and alumni of HCDC-IAES that are of regional and global importance, as well as to provide a platform for intellectual and nuanced discussion and conversation.
During the presentation, Assistant Secretary Villa discussed PH-European Bilateral Relations including Europe’s investment and remittances to the PH, trade relations, European tourists’ arrivals in PH, benefits of EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preference, Official Development Assistance, BARMM relations with ASEAN-EU, as well as PH foreign policy.
Assistant Secretary Villa underscored the functions of the DFA and its implementation of the three pillars of foreign policy, the principle of one country-team approach. He also encouraged students and other attendees of the lecture series to take the Foreign Service Officer Exam if they are interested to become a diplomat and join the foreign service.
Assistant Secretary Villa cited the various projects of EU for BARMM which include Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA), Access to Sustainable Energy Programme, Mindanao Peace and Development Programme (MinPAD- RISE), Mindanao Peace and Development Program-Peace and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MINPAD-PD BARMM), and the Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme (BAEP).
Meanwhile, Consul General Achmad Djatmiko tackled Indonesia’s foreign policy in Southeast Asia that includes deepening cooperation in terms of economic and maritime areas, as well as strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation. Major PH imports from Indonesia include coal, palm oil, coffee, instant tea, auto parts and accessories, petroleum, insecticides, and tires.
Indonesia continues to support the maintenance of peace in Southern Philippines, cooperation in mitigating transnational crimes, illegal and unregulated fishing through coordinated maritime patrol. Border agreement between PH and IDN include exclusive economic zones signed in 2019 and principles and guidance for continental shelf boundaries signed in 2022.
During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s visit to IDN on 4-6 September 2022, the following bilateral agreements were signed: Plan of Action Indonesia-Philippines 2022-2027, Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense and Security, MOU on Development and Promotion of Creative Economy and MOU on Culture Cooperation.
Officially succeeding the chairmanship of ASEAN from Cambodia this year, Consul General Djatmiko discussed the history and background of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the benefits the chairmanship will bring to IDN and the three pillars of priority economic deliverables at the ASEAN Summit 2023.
During the open forum, Assistant Secretary Villa acknowledged the significant role of Indonesia during the peace process between the PH government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) during the administration of President Fidel Ramos and the indirect contribution of Indonesia to PH’s banana industry through imports of cheaper fertilizers (urea).
Other attendees of the lecture include Honorary Consul of Finland and Chairman of the ECCP Southern Mindanao Business Council Mr. Antonio S. Peralta, HCDC President Br. Noelvic H. Deloria, HCDC-IAES Head Ms. Sheryl Urdaneta, students and faculty of Leon Garcia National High School, Central Mindanao Colleges of Kidapawan School Administrators and staff, and representatives from the Mindanao Development Authority.
The event was also broadcasted live via Facebook page of the HCDC: https://www.facebook.com/hcdcinc/videos/5972786109495932/. END
Attendees of the lecture include Department Head and faculty members of the Holy Cross of Davao College, students, Consulate General of Indonesia in Davao City and the ECCP.
Assistant Secretary Villa (third from left) and Consul General Djatmiko (4th from left) are flanked by Consul Umi Yanti Febriana Silalahi (third from right) from CGRI, Ms. Urdaneta of HCDC (second from right) and DFA Mindanao personnel.