Green Industry Conference Adopts Manila Declaration
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Senior officials from 22 Asian countries adopted unanimously the Manila Declaration on Green Industry in Asia
and Framework of Action, which is the outcome document of the International Conference on Green Industry in
Asia.
The Conference is being held on 9–11 September 2009 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Under the able chairmanship of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique A. Manalo, the Senior Officials Meeting
of the Conference on September 8 finalized comments on the Manila Declaration.
At the High-Level Ministerial Segment of the Conference on September 9, Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr. of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), led Ministers in adopting the outcome document.
While the Manila Declaration and Framework of Action is a non-binding document, it outlines the steps needed
to reduce resource intensity and carbon emissions of Asian industries. It also provides a mechanism to
periodically review and assess progress in implementing the framework of action towards a low-carbon future.
The Manila Declaration encourages Asian countries to set the appropriate institutional and policy framework
towards a transition to resource-efficient and low-carbon industries. It calls for measures such as the
incorporation of cleaner production policies in national development plans, and the fostering of a viable
business environment conducive to investments in green industries.
Moreover, it encourages the promotion of the increased use of renewable energy and energy-efficient
processes in the industrial sector, research and development programs that will lead to green innovation, and
investments and financing in low-carbon and resource-efficient manufacturing industries.
The Framework of Action calls for the establishment of a communications strategy to enhance awareness
towards green industries performance tools. It also calls for a network of green industries by setting up of
energy management standard among Asian countries.
It is envisioned that elements of the Manila Declaration and Framework of Action would provide inputs to related
activities and initiatives, such as the United Nations Summit on Climate Change in New York this September
2009, the UNIDO General Conference on the theme “Green Industry” in December, and the UN Climate Change
Conference in Copenhagen at the end of the year.
The DENR, with the support of the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry, Energy, Science and
Technology, Tourism, the National Economic and Development Authority, took the lead in organizing and
implementing the Philippine hosting of the International Conference on Green Industry in Asia.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Edsel T. Custodio represents the DFA in the National Organizing Committee.
With the theme, “Managing the transition to resource-efficient and low-carbon industries,” the Conference is
being co-organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations
Environment Programme, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission in the Asia Pacific
(UNESCAP).
More than 1,200 participants from various sectors are participating in the Conference, including seven Ministers
and other government officials from 22 Asian countries, members of the diplomatic corps, experts from within
and outside the region, representatives from the private sector, academe and research institutions, civil society,
and the media.
For the Philippines, hosting this Conference affirms our leading role and commitment in global efforts to
integrate sustainable development into the industrial development process.
Parallel to the Conference, the Philippines is hosting PowerTrends 2009, an international exhibition that
showcases among others, new and sustainable energy technologies; technologies to improve power, energy
and lighting efficiency; and eco-friendly products existing and under development. PowerTrends is being held in
the World Trade Center. END
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DFA-OAVS Denies Diversion of Funds
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The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) denies a newspaper
report that OAV funds were diverted from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to the DFA during the visit of
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the United States last July.
The news report, which appeared in the Daily Tribune quoting Migrante chairman Gary Martinez, has no basis in
fact.
The DFA-OAVS has a separate budget from that of the COMELEC to take care of expenses associated with OAV
registration, including office supplies and materials, travel in connection with mobile registration, and
information dissemination.
Moreover, there is no factual basis to attribute alleged lack of funds as a reason for the non-registration of some
overseas Filipinos as voters. In fact, the various Philippine embassies and consulates general have adequate
funds and have been proactive. In particular, they conducted mobile registrations in more than 234 sites, apart
from the numerous field registrations conducted by the said Posts.
OAVS has managed the OAVS funds properly. Portions of the fund have been reserved as budget for the
proposed automation in certain Philippine Embassies and Consulates General.
After seven months of OAV registration, a total of 229,165 new OAV registrants was recorded. This figure is
higher than the registration recorded in the 2005-2006 registration cycle.
There were 361,457 Filipinos registered as overseas absentee voters in 2003 and 142,667 in the 2005-2006
OAV registration. Of these, 132,820 voters were deleted from the National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters
of the COMELEC for failure to vote in 2004 and 2007 elections.
With the balance of 371,304 OAVoters and the 229,165 new OAV registrants, there are as of September 9 a total
of 600,469 overseas Filipinos eligible to vote in the May 2010 elections.
This number was achieved following proactive efforts by the DFA and the COMELEC to encourage more
Filipinos abroad to register. These include sending letters of appeal to 1,500 Filipino Community organizations
worldwide, aggressive media promotion in the Philippines, and various fora organized by the civil society and
non-governmental organizations including the Center for Migrant Advocacy and the Blas Ople Foundation.
OAV registration centers were also set up at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, and the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration. END
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International Day of Democracy to be observed
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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is spearheading the celebration of the International Day of Democracy
on September 15, Tuesday, with the theme “Democratization, development and respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms.”
The United Nations General Assembly, through its resolution A/62/L.9 of 8 November 2008, decided to observe
yearly an “International Day of Democracy” and invited all Member States, organizations of the United Nations
system, regional and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to
undertake appropriate activities and to celebrate and increase awareness of this day.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the Presidential Proclamation 1620 dated 9 September 2008
enjoining the nation to observe 15 September 2009 as International Day of Democracy and every year thereafter.
The DFA was designated to initiate, coordinate and lead the proper observance of the International Day of
Democracy.
In accordance with this directive, the DFA has invited relevant government institutions and attached agencies as
well as civil society organizations to observe and commemorate the International Day of Democracy in an
appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness of its significance.
The government agencies may convene public gatherings where appropriate speeches or presentations may
be made, or display for one week a streamer in the main and regional offices and attached agencies, and also
disseminate information to relevant non-government organizations. END
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RP Consulate General in Chongqing conducts OAV field registration in Kunming
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The Philippine Consulate General in Chongqing, led by Consul General Charles C. Jose, conducted a field
registration for Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) in Kunming on 28-29 August 2009 at the Grand Park Hotel.
Kunming is the capital city of China’s Yunnan Province. It is situated some 630 kilometers southwest of
Chongqing.
Twenty-six of the estimated 40 Filipinos in Kunming turned up at the event, with 22 of them registering for the
OAV either as a first-time voter or for transfer of registration.
In his remarks, Consul General Jose said that when the Consulate learned of the presence of a sizeable
number of Filipinos in Kunming, it immediately planned to bring its services there to enable the Filipinos
residing in the city to exercise their right to vote in the Philippine elections in May 2010.
He added that the Consulate was greatly encouraged by the turn out and gratified that the Filipinos decided to
avail themselves of the services offered by the Consulate.
The Filipino community in Kunming, in turn, expressed appreciation for the Consulate’s efforts to bring the
government’s services closer to the people who need them. The field registration, according to them, was a big
help in ensuring their participation in the country’s electoral process next year. END
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