Newsletter Philippine Embassy, New Delhi Newsletter (January to March 2009 issue) Ambassador Benedicto Presents Credentials to Nepal Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto presented to President Ram Baran Yadav his Letter of Credence as Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal on 13 March 2009 in Kathmandu. President Yadav was joined by the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs (Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav was on official travel out of the country), the Chief of Protocol, the Army Chief of Staff, and the head of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal. During a brief call on the President after the ceremony, Ambassador Benedicto congratulated him for Nepal’s declaration as a federal democratic republic, and wished him well on their ongoing national transformation. He expressed the hope that the Philippines can continue to be of assistance to Nepal in terms of human resources development, even as the two countries explore possible new areas for collaboration, including the promotion of bilateral trade. He also enjoined the Nepal Government’s continued cooperation to ensure the welfare of Filipino nationals in Nepal and Nepalese nationals in the Philippines. Meanwhile, in addition to HRD, President Yadav cited agriculture and livestock as some of the fields wherein the Philippines could potentially provide further assistance to Nepal. 1 Newsletter Ambassador Benedicto also took the opportunity to call on some of his Nepal in Brief resident counterparts in Kathmandu, including the Ambassador of Russia, who is the dean of the diplomatic corps, and the Ambassadors of China and Japan, in order to hear their views about the political and security situation, as well as economic and other opportunities in Nepal. Cradled by the Himalayas, landlocked Nepal borders the two most populous countries in the world, India and China. To its north is Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world, which is fondly known to the Nepalese as Sagarmatha. Nepal is a country of varied topography, with hills, valleys and plains apart from mountains. It is home to an estimated 24 million people belonging to more than 60 castes or ethnic groups. A monarchy for most of its history, Nepal declared itself as a A dinner was also federal democratic republic on hosted in his honor by 28 May 2008, making it one of the Philippine Consul the world’s youngest republics. General, a.h., in It is presently headed by Kathmandu, Mr. Vijaya President Ram Baran Yadav and Gajananda Vaidya, to governed by Prime Minister which select members Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the diplomatic corps “Prachanda.” were invited. Nepal has diplomatic relations with more than a hundred countries, including the To familiarize themselves with the culture and history of Nepal, the Philippines. It falls under the Ambassador and his delegation concluded their visit with a tour of two jurisdiction of the Philippine World Heritage Sites, Bhaktapur and Patan, which were the capitals of Embassy in New Delhi, which is two ancient kingdoms in the Himalayan country. assisted in delivering consular services in Nepal by an Honorary The Ambassador was Consulate General in accompanied by Deputy Kathmandu, headed by Consul Chief of Mission Maria General, ad honorem, Dr. Vijaya Aileen H. Bugarin, Third Gajananda Vaidya. Secretary & Vice Consul Catherine Rose G. Torres, Defense & Armed Forces Attaché to India with concurrent accreditation to Nepal Col. Alex C. Capiña, and Mrs. Leontina L. Benedicto. 2 Newsletter “CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN GLOBAL CRISIS” (An excerpt from the speech of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Philippine Economic Briefing) February 25, 2009 We’re all very much aware of the challenges of the global economic crisis confronted by countries around the world. But I hope we’re also all aware that ensuring that they continue to weather the global economic storm will require the cooperation and partnership of the government and the private sector. As I’m sure you can remember, a year ago, we were riding the wave. This year, along with all other developed and developing economies alike, we’re working hard to make sure that we are not swamped by the world economic crisis. In 2007, the Philippines generated an 8.0 percent GNP growth. In 2008, when two-thirds of the world went into a recession, we still managed a 6.1 percent GNP growth. In the fourth quarter of 2008, Japan’s GDP declined by 12.7 percent, U.S. by 5.0 percent, Taiwan by 9.0 percent, Thailand by 4.0 percent, Singapore by 3.7, Korea by 5.6. But our GDP went up by 4.5 percent. Up to late last year, Filipinos had no difficulties finding and keeping the important jobs overseas that were helping their families and contributing to the economy; food prices were coming under control and inflation was being checked. The world financial crisis appears deeper than most anticipated. However, I don’t think our plans are doomed to fail. We remain cautiously hopeful that we can continue to insulate the Philippines from the full frontal assault that much of the world is experiencing. Yet, we realize with each passing day, that objective becomes a greater challenge and therefore we must always be ready to innovate. Our government is up to the challenge. But it is clear that our success will come only if it is a true team effort. Government will do its part, but the private sector must step up and seize the opportunity we have created: a nation that is more stable and secure than at any time in recent memory. Working together, we have created a better deal if you will, than many countries in the region. So now, I call upon the leaders of our private sector to take up the challenge at this important time: join your government and continue to invest in our nation’s future. Work with us to ensure that our nation’s limited resources, finite resources are able to meet the objective of improving the lives of the people of the Philippines. We must all band together to shoulder the responsibility of bringing our nation through these challenging global times. As I said, to date, we have been successful. But now is not the time to be laid back or inactive. It is the time to step up to the challenge and work hard to ensure our nation’s bright economic future. We are a tough, proud and resilient people. Our resilience has proven its worth this past year. It will see us through to the global economic rebound that we all know will eventually come. But if we are to continue on the path to progress, we must act together, in common purpose; to provide the long-term opportunities our people want and deserve. Finally, for your commitment to the Philippine economy; a commitment that will continue to pay dividends for many years to come. To all of you, maraming salamat and thank you. 3 Newsletter Statement of Secretary Alberto G. Department of Romulo on the approval by the US Congress of benefits for Filipino Foreign Affairs World War II Veterans, 14 February 2009 Updates I share the profound sense of joy that our nation and especially our Filipino World War In pursuit of the Philippines’ commitment to deepen engagement Two veterans feel with the passage in the US with its partners in the Middle East, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Congress of a law that recognizes their military Alberto G. Romulo visited the Republic of Lebanon and the Syrian service and grants them the benefits that they Arab Republic on 16 to 19 February 2009. so truly deserve. The Philippines established diplomatic relations with Lebanon and The passage of this law had always been among Syria in 1946, almost 63 years ago. It opened its Embassy in Beirut the top foreign policy tasks given to me by the in 1996 and in Damascus in December last year. Our Diplomatic President. It was a task that I vigorously carried out, keenly aware of the historic imperative of Missions in these Arab States are at the forefront of the vigorous correcting a grave injustice. implementation of Philippine foreign policy especially in the enhancement of trade and cultural exchanges and in the continued It was a task in which we succeeded because promotion of the welfare of Filipino expatriates. the President herself was our most convincing advocate – reaching out to key players in the In Beirut, the Secretary met with President Michel Sleiman, Prime US Congress. Her visit to Washington early this Minister Fouad Siniora and Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister month came at a crucial time: the provisions on Fawzi Salloukh, while he called on President Bashar Assad, Prime our veterans were in danger of being dropped Minister Naji al Otri and Foreign Minister Walid al Moallem in in the midst of budgetary difficulties and Damascus. demanding and new priorities. During that visit, the President met with key Congressional leaders and made a powerful pitch for our He personally conveyed the Philippine Government’s appreciation veterans. for the valuable support and cooperation of the two countries for the safe repatriation of about 10,000 Filipino expatriates from Section 1002, Title X of the Stimulus Bill also Lebanon during the July 2006 Hizbullah-Israel war. known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, recognizes the His meetings with the military service of our veterans and grants a highest officials of the lump-sum of $15,000 for US-based veterans and Arab States were $9,000 for those living in the Philippines. likewise intended to enhance the With the passage of the bill containing provisions on Filipino veterans, the United interaction of the States honors its promise to the Philippines, Philippines with the one of its staunchest allies.