15 July 2013 - Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Raul S. Hernandez engaged the youth of Cebu and called on them to take part in promoting the country's foreign policy in an afternoon session specially organized by the DFA and the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu City.

In his lecture to more than 350 students and faculty members of USC, University of Cebu, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu Normal University, Cebu Doctors’ University, University of the Philippines, and University of Visayas on Friday, July 12, Spokesperson Hernandez also emphasized the value of the rule of law in resolving maritime disputes.

Spokesperson Hernandez said that the DFA is the country’s first line of defense as he explained the first pillar of Philippine foreign policy, which is to preserve, enhance and promote national security.

To the students who were all fervently listening to him inside the University’s Gansewinkel Hall where the lecture was held, he emphasized that diplomacy remains a formidable tool for resolving differences without resorting to force.

On the West Philippine Sea issue, he stressed that the country’s choice of arbitration under UNCLOS is an open, friendly and durable approach that benefits all nations. He said that the arbitration will be able to define and clarify China’s maritime entitlements for its constituents. For the Philippines, “the arbitration will clarify what is ours, define where we can fish, define our access to our natural resources, and define our enforcement of laws within our own exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.”

The Spokesperson further emphasized the benefit that the arbitration will give to the international community. “We will be able to reinforce unimpeded commerce and we will be able to do away with the threat to freedom of navigation from the region which is a vital route for regional and global trade,” he said.

Spokesperson Hernandez likewise shared with the students the work of the Department in the other two pillars, namely, the promotion of economic diplomacy and the promotion of the welfare and protection of the rights of Filipinos overseas.

On the promotion of economic diplomacy, he said that the DFA is working 24/7 to be able to supplement the efforts on attracting foreign investment, boosting trade and encouraging development assistance to come to the Philippines. Foreign Service personnel likewise attend training programs and economic diplomacy courses to further equip themselves in marketing the country. In 2012, he cited that the Department took part in the signing or ratification of 43 bilateral agreements covering development cooperation, trade, air services, ICT, tourism, and education, among others.

The Spokesperson also highlighted all sorts of assistance the Department has provided for Filipinos oversas and members of their families, including negotiating with countries to uplift labor standards for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), conducting seminars on capacity-building, financial literary and skills training as well as providing legal and consular assistance to Filipinos in inhospitable working or living conditions, Filipinos who are victims of human and drug trafficking and those who are facing criminal charges and death sentences as well as those for repatriation.

Mariejo Sevilla, President of the Carolinian Political Science Society and a student of AB Political Science in USC, commented after the lecture: "The Department of Foreign Affairs has been at the forefront in promoting Philippine national interest abroad. The lecture of Spokesperson Raul Hernandez did not only make me realize what the DFA has to offer but he succeeded in conveying the message about the country’s stand on the various issues concerning territorial disputes. I am very happy that the Philippines will seek arbitration and hopefully succeed versus the persistent claim of China. We do not need to shed blood in settling disputes, although we have been negotiating for so long now, the DFA must continue to be assertive in its claim and still diplomatic in handling cases such as this.”

“The law is clear, thus it must be followed. I am hoping that this case will finally rest for there are still other concerns which need immediate attention. The Government cannot do it alone, the citizens must also actively participate and be involved in the many discussions cornering the Philippines in the local and international arena,” she added.

Ms. Grace Magalzo, Chair of the USC Department of Political Science, concluded her closing remarks by encouraging the students to take part in Philippine foreign affairs. She said: "May your learning points today be converted to active participation in promoting foreign policy."

The lecture of the DFA Spokesperson is part of the Department's aim of bringing the DFA closer to the Filipino people so they may have a greater understanding and appreciation of the DFA’s role in nation-building. The DFA, through its Public Information Services Unit (PISU), partnered with the USC Department of Political Science, through its International Relations and Foreign Service (IRFS) Track, in coming up with the lecture session for students of Cebu and the Visayas so they will become more aware and involved in Philippine foreign relations.

The lecture was graced by the presence of no less than the President of the University of San Carlos, Fr. Dionision Miranda, SVD, SThD, who stayed all throughout the event. Members of the media in Cebu, including law students of the University and guests, were also present during the lecture.  END