01 August 2013 – To bring the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) closer to the Filipino people and for them to have a greater understanding and appreciation of its role in nation-building, Mrs. Cecilia B. Rebong, Chief Coordinator of the DFA, interacted with hundreds of Muslim and Christian youth of Mindanao and encouraged them to take part in promoting Philippine foreign policy.

Mrs. Rebong engaged with the students in a lecture session held on Saturday, July 27, at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City.

With more than 400 students from the University’s King Faisal Center for Islamic, Arabic and Asian Studies (KFCIAAS), College of Business Administration and Accountancy, College of Public Affairs and College of Social Sciences and Humanities, the lecture focused on the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy and how these pillars are promoted by the men and women of the Department.

Mrs. Rebong enumerated to the students the various programs and activities done by the Department in advancing the first pillar, the preservation, enhancement and promotion of national security.

In particular, she stressed to the students the value of the rule of law in peacefully settling disputes. She explained the West Philippine Sea issue thoroughly by using maps and diagrams.

Mrs. Rebong highlighted the choice of arbitration by the Philippines as an open, friendly and durable approach in clarifying “what is ours” and defining the country’s access to its natural resources within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. She emphasized the benefits arbitration will give to all nations citing that it will reinforce unimpeded commerce and will do away with the threat to freedom of navigation in the region, a vital route for regional and global trade.

Mrs. Rebong likewise cited that the DFA plays an important role in securing other countries’ support for the peace process in Mindanao.

On the promotion of economic diplomacy, Mrs. Rebong emphasized that “the primary goal of economic diplomacy is job creation” and this is translated to its personnel actively taking part in the business missions, networking and economic collaboration in other countries.

On the third pillar, the promotion of the welfare and protection of the rights of Filipinos overseas, she said that Foreign Service personnel negotiate with countries for better labor standards for our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Moreover, they likewise provide all sorts of assistance to Filipinos overseas and to members of their families – from providing legal and consular assistance to organizing empowerment seminars.

The students, mostly in their third and final year in college, expressed their appreciation to the DFA for arranging the lecture session and for reaching out to them in Mindanao.

In particular, Mr. Acmad D. Dumarpa, President of the Junior Diplomats’ Club of MSU, commented: “The lecture last Saturday was very informative. We now truly appreciate our country’s foreign policy and the work that the men and women of the DFA do. We are encouraged to join the DFA!”

After the lecture session, the students, including the administrators and faculty members and personnel of MSU, expressed full support for the country’s foreign policy. 

The lecture was attended by no less than the Vice President for Academic Affairs of MSU, Dr. Alma E. Berowa and the four Deans of MSU – Dr. Ali B. Panda, Dean of King Faisal Center for Islamic, Arabic and Asian Studies, Professor Imara C. Andam, Dean of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, Professor Girlie B. Miguel, Dean of the College of Public Affairs, and Dr. Samuel E. Anonas, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Also present during the lecture are the faculty members of (KFCIAAS), College of Business Administration and Accountancy, College of Public Affairs and College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The DFA, through its Public Information Services Unit (PISU), partnered with the Mindanao State University in coming up with the lecture session for students and faculty of Marawi City so they will become more aware and involved in Philippine foreign relations. This is the first lecture session on the Philippine foreign policy this year in Mindanao. END