07 May 2015 – As part of the nationwide information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on the West Philippine Sea Issue, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), held its second Multi-Sectoral Forum on March 06 in Cagayan de Oro City. The event drew in an audience from a broad spectrum, including national and local government representatives, barangay officials, uniformed military personnel, members of the Philippine National Police, the local press, academe, and university students.

DFA Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Charles C. Jose delivered an hour-long briefing on the West Philippine Sea issue to an audience of 274. His presentation focused on the core issues, the overarching principles that guide Philippine response to the issues, and the steps being done by the Philippine Government to address them. While it underscored that the West Philippine Issue is a matter of national interest, the presentation’s key message noted that the current dispute in the West Philippine Sea is not the sum total of the Philippines’ relations with China.

Following the presentation, Assistant Secretary Jose engaged the audience in a brief but lively Q&A session. After the forum, he also met with representatives of the local media in Cagayan de Oro for a press conference.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Thelma B. Oliver, PIA’s Regional Director for Northern Mindanao, thanked Assistant Secretary Jose for gracing Cagayan de Oro and speaking about the West Philippine Issue, making it more present and real for the audience.

The event was organized in cooperation with the DFA Regional Consular Office in Cagayan de Oro, headed by Officer-in-Charge Atty. Abdurraheym S.Y. Macud, and Smart Communications.

The Multi-Sectoral Forum is an expanded version of the Special Kapihan ng Mamamayan on the West Philippine Sea. The first such event was held in Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City, in March. Similar events will be held across the country in 2015. END