Legarda asks DFA to strengthen PH cooperation with other nations

Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to continue strengthening the Philippines’ technical cooperation with other nations.

“Technical cooperation with other nations is good diplomacy. This exchange of ideas and knowledge benefits both the nations that are in agreement,” Legarda, chair of the Senate committees on Finance and Foreign Relations, said during the hearing on DFA’s proposedP27.5 billion budget for 2019.

According to the senator, “there is good opportunity for agriculture and trade in Papua New Guinea,” which the country can take into consideration.

“Meanwhile, the Philippines, which is known for having good laws such as in disaster and climate change resilience, can lend help to other countries like Timor Leste in terms of legislation,” she noted.

The proposed 2019 budget of the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (TCCP) under the DFA is set at P3.68 million.

Legarda also stressed the importance of the Philippine government’s presence abroad through foreign service posts.

To date, there are 85 Philippine foreign service posts — 60 Philippine Embassies, 21 Philippine Consulates General, and four Permanent Missions—based in 60 countries. Three posts will be opened this year and the DFA hopes to open or reopen 14 more posts next year.

Legarda said, “it is but imperative to open more posts, especially where we have an increased number of Filipino workers.”

In line with this, the senator added that foreign service officers should learn more foreign languages to enhance the discourse with their counterparts in their area of service. /ee