Philippines-China in support of

Magtulungan para sa Bayan... CHRONICLE lsang turista lang ang kailangan! Vol. 3 No.2 March-April 2002 Publication of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing

House Speaker De Venecia leads lawmakers in international forum State Councilor Wang in Beijing, Chongqing visits A high-level delegation from the House of Mr. Wang Zhongyu, State Councilor and Representatives led by Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. concurrently Secretary General of China’s State Council, attended the 3rd General Assembly of the Association of visited the Philippines on 26-29 January 2002. During Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP) held on 16-19 April. his visit, Mr. Wang, who has a rank equivalent to a Vice Other members of the Philippine delegation included Premier, held meetings with Mr. Alberto Romulo, Deputy Speaker Antonio Cuenco, Congressman Roque Executive Secretary of H.E. President Gloria Macapagal- Ablan and Deputy Secretary-General of the House of Arroyo, and Ms. Karina Constantino-David, Chairperson Representatives Ricardo Roque. The delegation was of the Philippine Civil Service Commission. accompanied by Ambassador Josue Villa and Second Mr. Wang’s visit was part of a three-nation tour Secretary and Consul Hjayceelyn Quintana of the that includes Myanmar and Cambodia. He was joined Philippine Embassy. by Mr. Zhang Xuechong, China’s Minister of Personnel, and Mr. Wang Xiaochu, Director General, Department Delegates to the AAPP delivered statements on the of International Exchange and Cooperation of China’s House Speaker De Venecia and Chairman Li Peng of three topics under the theme “Peace and Development” Ministry of Personnel. namely: (a) Multi-Polarization and World Peace, (b) the National People’s Congress after their one-on-one Globalization and Developing Countries, and (c) Closer meeting at the fringes of the AAPP General Assembly. International Cooperation and Establishment of a New to Changchun together with officials of the Philippine PGMA meets China Finance chief International Political and Economic Order. National Railways and the Bases Conversion China’s Finance Minister, Mr. Xiang Huaicheng Development Authority (BCDA) to visit a train car paid a call on President Gloria Macapagal -Arroyo Chairman Li Peng of the National People’s production facility. during his official visit to Manila on 24 - 27 March. Congress (NPC) of China opened the conference in President Arroyo welcomed Minister Xiang to the Beijing and continued the sessions in Chongqing in Speaker de Venecia also met with Vice Minister An Philippines, saying that she was “very grateful” for the central China. The AAPP membership of the Philippines Min of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic friendship that the People’s Republic of China accords was formalized during the conference. At the closing Cooperation and Vice Minister Sun Yongfu of the her and her administration. ceremony, Speaker de Venecia announced the decision Ministry of Railways in Beijing on 22 April. These to host the next AAPP assembly in Manila. meetings were in connection with the proposed President Arroyo underscored the policy of the involvement of Chinese firms in the reconstruction and Philippine government to encourage more Chinese to After the conference, Speaker de Venecia proceeded modernization of the Philippines’ railway system. come to the Philippines for tourism and business. In a separate meeting, Finance Secretary Visa requirements for Chinese nationals simplified Camacho and Minister Xiang discussed two-trade and investments as well as China’s wide-ranging interests Philippine foreign service missions in China have than the normal 3-day processing period and pay less in the region. Secretary Camacho also expressed unified and eased visa requirements for Chinese for the visa fees. In case of tour groups, the usual appreciation on behalf of the government for US$ 100- nationals travelling to the Philippines for business or overtime fee will be waived for the release of the visa million credit facility extended by China for agricultural pleasure by reducing visa fees by 20 per cent, shortening within 24 hours. infrastructure projects in the Philippine countryside. the visa processing period and simplifying application procedures. In addition, individual visa applicants are no longer required to submit letters of invitation and CPPCC leader pledges stronger The modified measures were drafted at the guarantee from the Philippines as long as they present agri cooperation meeting held in Beijing last 26-27 January chaired by documentary proof of financial capacity in China. Philippine Ambassador to China Mr. Vice Chairman Song Jian of the China People’s Josue L. Villa. These measures were Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC) stressed implemented by the Philippine posts in China’s commitment to support the Philippine’s Beijing, Xiamen, Guangzhou and agricultural modernization program during his Hongkong beginning 1 February. meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 3 April. The revised guidelines aim to hone Vice Chairman Song conveyed the appreciation the Philippines’ competitiveness as a of China’s President Jiang Zemin for President Arroyo’s travel destination and in line with the commitment to strengthening Philippines-China directive from President Gloria bilateral relations. Macapagal-Arroyo to promote business and tourism exchanges with China. Vice Chairman Song pointed out that the Philippine-China Agriculture Technology Center in the “We hope that more friendly visa Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija - now under policies will encourage the Chinese to construction- will be the hub of technical exchange view the Philippines as a friendly between scientists and experts. He proposed the setting destination for tourism and business”, Ambassador Villa Ambassador Villa (seated, third from left) together with up of manufacturing plants by Chinese firms in the said. Consuls General Isaias Begonia (Guangzhou), Zenaida Angara- country to boost partnership in the field of agricultural Collinson, Corazon Yap-Bahjin(Xiamen), Elizabeth Buensuceso supplies and equipment. (Beijing) in a photo taken after the consultation meeting in Under the revised guidelines, accredited tour group Beijing. Behind them are Consul Noel Fernandez (Beijing), Ms He also vowed to help in expanding bilateral handlers, as well as individual travelers, will submit less Rose Calderon (Xiamen), Vice Consul Lourdes Legaspi cooperation in the areas of information and documentary requirements, may claim the visas earlier (Guangzhou) and Consul Domingo Lucenario (Hongkong). communications technology and enterpreneurship. Philippines-China Chronicle 2 March-April 2002 DIPLOMATIC NOTES

Visit Reports Seminar on Confidence mayors Labor undersecretary in ASEM Building in the South China visit Shanghai Meeting Sea held in Manila Labor Undersecretary Manuel G. Imson First Gentleman Atty. Miguel Arroyo and advocated for the protection of the rights of Filipino The Philippines hosted the “Seminar on Bilateral Chairman Benjamin Abalos of the Metro Manila migrant workers at an experts’ meeting held in Confidence Building in the South China Sea,” in Manila Development Authority led 10 mayors of Metro Manila Beijing on 25-26 February. The meeting was held to on 5 March. This activity, which was attended by in an official visit to Shanghai on 12- 15 March. prepare for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) officials and academics from the Philippines and China, Ministerial Conference on Cooperation for the provided a forum for the two sides to exchange views According Chairman Abalos, MMDA organized the Management of Migratory flows between Asia and on the issue of joint development and joint cooperation visit to familiarize the top executive leaders of Metro Europe. Mr. Imson contributed Philippine (JD/JC). Manila on the experiences of Shanghai Municipality experiences and perspectives on the issues of labor on urban planning and administration. He said it also The Philippine delegation was headed by Acting migratory flows, labor exploitation, and human helped to consolidate the support of these leaders in the Assistant Secretary Antonio V. Rodriguez of the Asian trafficking. integrated urban renewal projects in Metro Manila and and Pacific Affairs Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, the 15-year rehabilitation program of the River. The meeting was attended by expert-level while the Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Liu Jian, officials from 15 European countries and 10 Asian Counselor of the Asian Department, Ministry of Foreign The participating mayors were Mr. Feliciano countries. It was hosted by H.E. Mr. Wang Guangya, Affairs. Belmonte, Jr. (), Mr. Joselito Atienza, Jr. Vice Foreign Minister of China. (Manila), Mr. Jaime Fresnedi (), Mr. Officials from the Chinese Embassy in Manila and Local budget officials from Mindanao Reynaldo Malonzo ( City), Ms. Maria Lourdes the Philippine Embassy in Beijing participated in the Fernando (), Mr. Joey Marquez (Parañaque), A 58-member delegation composed mainly of seminar. Mr. Wenceslao Trinidad ( City), Mr. Jose local chief executives and budget officers from The two sides have agreed to exchange Emmanuel Carlos (Valenzuela City), Mr. Rosendo Mindanao headed by Undersecretary Mario L. information/documents concerning their respective Capco () and Mr. Sigfrido Tinga (), as Relampagos of the Department of Budget and cooperation agreements with other countries as well as well as Mr. Pedro S. Cuerpo, Mayor of Rodriguez Management (DBM) visited Beijing, Shanghai and domestic laws and regulations relating to possible JD/ Municipality of . Xiamen from 2-9 April as part of an Educational Tour JC arrangements between the two countries. to China. The delegation included Governor Rodolfo The delegation’s itinerary included meetings with P. del Rosario of Davao del Norte, Mayor Oscar M. Both sides recognized the importance of officials of the Shanghai Land and House Bermudez of Tagum City, Mayor Irenea R. Hitgano continuing the discussions on this issue. Administration, Shanghai Environmental Protection of Trento, Agusan del Sur, Mayor Melquiades D. Bureau, Shanghai Urban Planning and Design Azcuna, Jr. of Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental, Ambassador Villa speaks at CASS Research Institute. Shanghai Vice Mayor Zhu Muyao Mayor Romulo S. Rodriguez, Jr. of Gingoog City, hosted a luncheon for the delegation on 14 March. Mayor Rodolfo D. Luna of Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental, Vice Mayor Erico Basilio Fabian of Executive Director Mrs. Bingle Guttierez of the Zamboanga City, and Ms. Virginia San Agustin Gara, Pasig River Commission, who was also part of the Budget Officer of Zamboanga City and President of delegation, was given a briefing on the implementation the Mindanao League of Local Budget Officers of the Shanghai Suzhou Creek Rehabilitation Program (MLLBO). and a site tour thereafter. Both the Pasig River and The Educational Tour to China was part of the Suzhou Creek projects are funded in part by the Asian prize package extended to the awardees of the recently Development Bank, and share similar technical concluded Mindanao-wide “Search for the Most components. Outstanding LGUs in Local Budget Administration Ambassador Josue Villa was the featured speaker for CY 2001” conducted under the auspices of the on 28 March at the “Forum on the Asia-Pacific,” a Tree-Planting in Beijing DBM and the MLLBO. Usec. Relampagos and selected monthly seminar organized by the Chinese Academy of members of the delegation also met with Vice Minister Social Sciences - a top government think-tank in China. Jin Li Qun of the Ministry of Finance to exchange views on the budget process and local fiscal Amb. Villa spoke on Philippine relations with administration. China and ASEAN. In his speech, Amb. Villa noted the Legislators from Luzon current dynamism in the political and economic A delegation from the House of Representatives relations between the Philippines and China. led by Congressman Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr. visited Beijing and Shanghai from 6 to 13 April. The He also propounded on Philippine initiatives in delegation included Congressman Oscar I. Gozos, ASEAN and positions on regional security and economic Congressman Danton Bueser, Congressman issues. Francisco S. Perez, Congresswoman Victoria H. Reyes, and Congresswoman Georgilu Yumul-Hermida. The two-hour forum, held at the Institute of Asia During their visit, the delegation met with Mr. Pacific Studies, was attended by Chinese scholars, Consul Issa Almojuela is shown with Russian Dong Xuebo, Director General of the Department of representatives from government agencies and research journalist Dmitri (left) , joining other diplomats, Planning, Ministry of Communications. The institutes, and journalists. foreign correspondents and overseas students in a delegation was given a briefing on the transportation tree-planting activity at Mentougou in the city system of China. The delegation exchanged views The seminar was moderated by Prof. Zhang outskirts on 6 April. The annual tree-planting activity of the Beijing Municipality is part of the city’s with the Chinese side on possible cooperation between Yunling, Director of the Institute, and coordinated by anti-desertification program and helps raise public the two countries on this matter. its Deputy Director, Prof. Han Feng. awareness on environmental issues Philippines-China Chronicle 3 March-April 2002 COMMUNITY BRIEFS

PROFILE FROM THE CONSUL’S DESK

Consul Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. Overseas Employment Certificate Philippine Consulate General, Hong Kong OFWs in China who have not registered with POEA can avail of the benefits of the Balik- Be a Tourism Volunteer! Manggagawa Program by registering with POEA during their vacation in the Philippines before What is V-12 or Philippine Tourism Volunteer 12? returning to their employer. POEA will issue an V-12 is a program of the Philippine Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) to the OFW. Department of Tourism (DOT) which seeks to Among the benefits of the Balik-Manggagawa Program mobilize all overseas in marketing the are exemption from the Philippine travel tax, airport Philippines as Tourism Volunteers so they can send foreign tourists to the country who can avail of terminal fees and facilitation in clearing immigration generous discounts and other benefits. departure counters.

Who can be a Tourism Volunteer? (This is the 6th of a series of features on Philippine POEA requires the submission of the following Any Filipino working or residing overseas who diplomats in China) deeply cares for his country and is willing to documents for the issuance of an OEC: (1) valid personally promote the Philippines to foreign Consul Domingo “Doy” D. Lucenario, Jr. passport; (2) valid re-entry visa/work permit; and (3) friends, bosses, peers and acquaintances and invite assumed his position as second-in- command officer an Artist Record Book (ARB) for entertainers. A POEA them to visit the Philippines. in the Philippine Consulate General, Hong Kong, in Processing Fee of P100 will be collected, together with 2000 after his posting as First Secretary and Consul in an OWWA Membership Fee of P1,275.00 and an annual Rev. Samuel D. Trinidad, who is based in the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, Australia, for four Seoul, blazed the trail by bringing 56 South Korean Medicare Coverage premium of P900.00. years. He had earlier served in the Philippine Embassy friends to visit the Philippines on 17 December 2001 and another group of 12 on 12 January 2002. in Berlin and the Philippine Consulate in Hamburg. Adequate supply of passports In Manila, he was the Deputy Chief of How to become a Tourism Volunteer? In the face of rumors circulating in the Simply fill out a V-12 registration form at any Presidential Protocol in Malacañang from 1993 to 1996. Philippine embassy/consulate, or overseas labor or He also assumed various capacities in the Office of Philippines concerning the shortage of Philippine tourism office. One can also access the website www. Consular Affairs and Office of Personnel and passports, the Embassy wishes to assure Filipinos in wowphilippines.com.ph and register on-line. Administration Services of the Department of Foreign China that the Embassy has an adequate supply of Affairs. He was research assistant in the East European passports to meet their needs. What are the incentives of the program? Division of the Office of Political Affairs before becoming * Up to US$26,000 in cash * Free round-trip air tickets to/from the a Foreign Service Officer. Recruitment of teachers through internet Philippines courtesy of Philippine Airlines (PAL) advertisements * Free hotel accommodation in the Philippines Doy obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Manuel L. Quezon University * Additional duty-free non-cash shopping The Embassy has noted the presence of a number privileges equivalent to $100 or more at Duty Free where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1980. After of Filipino English teachers who were recruited to work Philippines successfully passing the tough examination for Foreign * Attractive discounts and amenities from Service Officers in 1989, he studied in San Beda College in China through internet advertisement. The Embassy participating establishments obtaining a Bachelor of Laws degree. He passed the bar, anticipates more language schools established in China * The prestigious KALAKBAY Award then pursued a Master of Laws degree at the University to be actively recruiting Filipino English teachers. of Manila. The more foreign guests one brings to the Philippines, the greater chances for a volunteer to It is advisable that the employment contract be win these prizes. The top twelve V-12 volunteers will Doy’s affable manner, efficiency and referred to appropriate labor agencies in the Philippines be determined after December 2002. professionalism are well-noted by his peers and the to ensure that the terms of the contract are not Filipino community. disadvantageous to the Filipino teacher. Filipinos For more information on the V-12 program, recruited as English teachers are requested to secure tourism events in the Philippines, and tourism “Attorney” Doy is happily married to another proper working visas in order not to violate Chinese packages, visit www.wowphilippines.com.ph. attorney - Nida Arada Lucenario. They are blessed with three wonderful children. labor regulations.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDEE FILCOMSHA elects new officers

Ricky Yambing, a Filipino The Filipino Community of Shanghai working as Head of the Elderly Care (FILCOMSHA) elected the following officers for the year Department at the Christian 2002 on 20 April: Broadcasting Network (CBN) China, was recently awarded The 2001 CBN President : Berlin Canoy International President’s Award for Vice-President : Giovanni Gapasin Excellence in recognition of his Treasurer : Tong Deala Paz outstanding service to the poor and Secretary : Mel Feliciano elderly people of China. The award was Auditor : John John Garcia conferred by Dr. Pat Robertson, CBN Founder and Chairman and a popular PRO : Tony Rivera televangelist. Mr. Yambing was one of only two awardees in the whole of CBN Officers of the Philippine Consulate in Shanghai network. CBN has representative offices witnessed the elections. in 13 countries worldwide. Philippines-China Chronicle 4 March-April 2002

Philippine Consulate General Shanghai opens ALC undertakes donation drive for Beijing orphans The Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai The ASEAN Ladies Circle, under the leadership of will open to the public in May, months following the Madame Caroline Villa, visited the Beijing Children’s decision by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Welfare Institute on 28 March and handed over 39 boxes establish the mission with the view of expanding tourism of goods, garments and snack food for the young and business links between the country and China’s residents of the institute and its units across Beijing. commercial powerhouse. Mme. Villa and other spouses of ASEAN Shanghai’s economic force is evident in the fact Ambassadors in Beijing, together with other ALC that it is host to over half of the world’s top 500 representatives, were received by Mme. Wang companies and branches of over 50 foreign banks, Chenguang, Director of the Institute and given a walk- including the Philippines’ Metrobank. The city, which through of the educational and clinical facilities at was the financial capital of Asia and called “Paris of Haidian District. Senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs were also present during their visit. the East” in the 1930s, is being geared to become “ the major financial, trading and economic center” west of Beijing Children’s Welfare Institute was founded the Pacific Ocean. Many see Shanghai as the paramount in 1984 and is considered a first-rank social welfare Asian business hub in the new century. institute for orphaned and disabled children. The city, and the access it offers through the seven It was during her visit to Shanghai in October 2001 that provinces by the Yangtze River and the neighboring President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced to Chinese eastern provinces, presents boundless economic leaders and Filipino community her decision to open a Philippine Consulate General in the city opportunities in China for the Philippines. The Philcongen advance team led by Vice Consul of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government as well the Aileen Mendiola arrived in Shanghai on 17 April and members of the Filipino community in Shanghai. immediately began preparations for putting the mission The four-person team is holding office at the 18th into operation. floor of Hongkong Plaza Service Apartments at No. 282 Its initial activities included meetings with officials Huaihai Zhong Road. Its contact numbers are (021) Mme. Caroline Villa interacts with children and a staff at of the Foreign Affairs Office and other relevant officials 6390 8866 (telephone) and (021) 6390 8855 (fax). the Institute before the donation ceremony

Former President Ramos elected Manila Jaycees make historic visit to China Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia Former President Fidel V. Ramos was unanimously elected as Chairman of the 11-member Board of Directors of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), currently the biggest non-governmental international forum in the region.

The election was held during the first annual conference of the BFA in Hainan Province, China on 12-13 April. The inaugural meeting was attended by heads of government led by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Prime Minister Lee Han Dong of the Republic of Korea. Nearly 2,000 delegates from government, research, and business circles from 48 countries attended the forum. Ambassador Villa (seated in the center) and Embassy officers with the Jaycees mission after dinner at the Grand Hyatt Former President Ramos is considered one of the Hotel in Beijing on 25 March. The group conferred an honorary Jaycees membership to Ambassdor Villa that evening initiators of this forum which is recognized as an ideal A 26-member group of the Manila Jaycees, the platform for multi-level and multi-channel dialogues pioneer chapter of the international youth leadership in Asia. training organization in Asia, visited Xiamen, Shanghai Philippines- China and Beijing on 20 - 26 March. CHRONICLE Atty. Joel Rufino A. Nuñez, President of the Manila is a bi-monthly publication of the Jaycees said the visit aimed to help promote business Philippine Embassy in Beijing. and youth organization links between the Philippines Contributions and comments are welcome. and China. Address: No.23 Xiu Shui Bei Jie, The group, composed of enterpreneurs and Jianguomenwai, 1000600 Beijing, professionals within the 22-40 age bracket, hosted a People’s Republic of China dinner for Mayor Zhu Yayan of Xiamen City and had Trunklines: (10) 6532 1872, 6532 2451, 6532 2518 dialogues with professors of the China Europe Fax No. : (10) 6532 3761 Former President Ramos addresses government and International Business School and Shanghai University E-mail:[email protected] business leaders at the Boao Forum in Hainan Graduate School in Shanghai.