4 RP concerns pursued in ASEAN meet

The Philippines is a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino spoke of such a vision in his inaugural speech, and this is exactly what the country will pursue as it joins its Asian neighbors beginning Tuesday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) ministerial meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“The Philippines looks forward to seeking support from and working together with ASEAN and its dialogue partners in addressing national challenges to promote trade and investment, achieve international competitiveness, and attain greater social equity and justice,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo who will lead the Philippine delegation to the meetings this week (July 19 to 23).

The 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) and 17th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) will be the first major international conference at the foreign minister’s level under the Aquino administration.

During the meetings, Romulo said the Philippine delegation will push for the country’s interests in four key areas – economic cooperation, disaster management, political and security cooperation and human rights – which are in line with the foreign policy priorities laid down by President Aquino.

ASEAN ‘RO-RO’

To enhance connectivity in the region, Romulo revealed the Philippines will push for, among other vital initiatives, the development of an “ASEAN Roll-on/Roll-off (RO-RO) Network” to promote intra- and inter-island connectivity among the archipelagic economies of the ASEAN.

This, he said, supports the belief of the Aquino administration that connectivity will spur economic growth and tourism, especially through the development of a nautical highway and the prioritization of high impact flagship projects until 2015 through close cooperation and support from the private sector.

In addition, Romulo said the 2010 Asian Development Bank (ADB) RORO study suggests that, “there is strong evidence to support the long-distance regional RO-RO routes. There are indications that these nautical highways may be a viable alternative to promote regional connectivity and economic integration.” This will be included in the drafting of the ASEAN Strategic Transport Plan for 2011-2015.

Romulo cited other examples of high impact flagship measures include tourism initiatives such as cruise tourism, visa relaxation policies, and packaging and promotion of ASEAN Heritage Circuits, which, will also be included in the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan.

Focus will also be given on plans that would pave the way for universal access to broadband services through the strengthening of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and online digital content since, according to Romulo, “telecommunications is the fastest and most efficient medium of connecting ASEAN.”

Romulo said the Philippines will also rally for other key initiatives such as the benefits of Free Trade Areas (FTAs).

The DFA Secretary said the FTAs provide access to an enlarged and efficient market for the Philippines to facilitate trade based on comparative advantage and lower costs.

“They can also open up employment opportunities for Filipinos through the services component, as well as needed revenue for the government through investments,” the foreign secretary pointed out.

PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS

Another vital initiative, said Romulo, will be the promotion of human rights.

He said their delegation will convey to ASEAN member countries that the Philippines is committed to strengthen mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country, within the region, and in the international community.

“As the country will endeavor to once again be the champion of human rights, the country will reiterate its offer to locate the Secretariat headquarters in Manila,” he added.

Noting that the Philippines and other ASEAN countries experienced devastation and loss due to typhoons, earthquakes and other disasters during the previous year, Romulo said disaster management will also be foremost in their agenda.

“Natural disasters are a major security challenge for the country. In this regard, the Philippines strongly supports regional cooperation and coordination in disaster relief by contributing to various ARF activities aimed at strengthening national and regional capacity to rapidly and effectively respond to disasters,” Secretary Romulo said. -ROY C. MABASA, Manila Bulletin