DFA issues Guidelines to Foreign Service Posts on Assistance from Overseas Filipino
Communities for those affected by Typhoon ‘Ondoy’
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In the wake of the trail of devastation left by Typhoon “Ondoy,” Philippine foreign service posts have received
inquiries from Filipino community groups and individuals overseas on how they could extend assistance to their
fellow Filipinos in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon who have been affected by the heavy torrential rains and
widespread flood caused by the typhoon.
The Philippine Consulates General in Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Dubai, in particular, have been contacted by
their respective Filipino communities which have expressed willingness to give donations to the victims of the
calamity and started to mobilize community members, in line with the spirit of pagtutulungan and bayanihan.
In response to their queries, the Department of Foreign Affairs issued on Sunday a circular to Philippine
embassies and consulates general on the mechanics of processing of donations from foreign sources, per the
guidelines of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), specifically Administrative Order No.
53, Series of 2003 (Omnibus Guidelines in the Management and Processing of Donations) (http://www.dswd.
gov.ph/images/articles/AO53.pdf).
Donations in cash for the typhoon victims can be deposited to the DSWD’s bank account, the details of which
may be found in the DSWD’s website www.dswd.gov.ph.
The DFA is closely coordinating with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the DSWD on how
assistance from Filipino communities overseas may be best harnessed to aid the flood victims. END
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Media Registration for the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits Cha-Am Hua Hin,
21-25 October 2009
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The Thai Foreign Ministry is inviting members of the foreign media who wish to cover the 15th ASEAN Summit
and Related Summit which will be held at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin on 21-25 October 2009, to register online at
www.15thaseansummit-th.org. The online media registration is open on 5-20 October 2009. The registration is
as follows:
1. A media member submits a duly completed online media registration form with the following attachments
(file sizes should not exceed 500 KB):
Passport-sized color photograph with at least 300 dpi resolution.
Valid Press Card issued by a media agency.
Letter of Assignment addressed to “The Media Secretariat of the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits”
and undersigned by Editor or an authorized representative for the media agency. Each agency should issue only
one letter, including the names and positions of all media members who will actually represent the agency
during the Summits.
After submission, the media member will automatically receive an Acknowledge Letter through the email
indicated in the registration form.
2. The Accreditation Letter will be sent to the same e-mail address as soon as the registration has been
processed and approved. The Accreditation Letter contains Media ID of four-digit numbers. (P-XXXX).
3. The media member collects a Media Press and Media Kit at the Media Centre, located at @BLACK, Lobby
Level, the Sheraton Hua Hin, during 21 October 2009 between 14:00-19:00 hrs and 22-24 October 2009
between 08:00-19:00 hrs. To collect the Media Pass, the media must present the Accreditation Letter with valid
Press Card.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes media members to note the following:
• Visiting media members must ensure that their passports remain valid for no less than 6 months upon their
entry into Thailand.
• Visiting media members who need a visa for travel to Thailand must present the Accreditation Letter to any
Royal Thai Embassy / Consulate-General in their respective countries for issuance of type M-visa (Single Entry)
in addition to documents normally required for visa issuance.
• The Media Secretariat does NOT accept any online registration or postal registration beyond the deadline of 20
October 2009.
• The Media Secretariat does NOT recommend onsite registration at the Media Centre, only available during 22-
24 October between 08:00-19:00 hrs. Document verification at the Media Centre requires at least 6 hours before
accreditation can be granted. Additionally, as only a limited number of Media Kits will be available, priority will be
given to those media representatives who have registered online. END
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22 Filipino Seamen On Board MV Irene to Return Home
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22 Filipino seamen onboard the M.V. Irene will return home after five months of captivity in the hands of Somali
pirates. Bright Maritime Corp., the manning agency of the newly released vessel, informed the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the 22 Filipino seamen will arrive on Tuesday, 29 September at 3:30 in the afternoon
on a flight from the Middle East.
After the vessel’s release, the Royal Netherlands Navy ship “Evertsen” escorted MV Irene to safety and provided
a medical doctor who examined the crew. The doctor ascertained that all 22 crew members are well.
The crew was also debriefed by a team of specialists, according to the principal, Chian Spirit Maritime.
The DFA conveys its appreciation to the Government of The Netherlands and the Royal Netherlands Navy for
escorting MV Irene to safety and for providing medical assistance to the crew.
The DFA also expresses its gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her unfaltering support towards
the resolution of this case and repatriation of the seafarers.
Furthermore, the DFA thanks and commends the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi that continuously monitored the
local situation to ensure the safety of the seafarers on board, the Philippine Embassy in Manama that
coordinated with the Combined Maritime Task Force 151 which is headquartered in Bahrain; the Philippine
Embassy in Athens that coordinated with the principal to ensure that positive steps are taken towards the
resolution of a crisis; and the Philippine Embassy in Muscat that monitored the arrival of the crew and provided
consular assistance.
Finally, the DFA lauds the full cooperation of the Chian Spirit Maritime Enterprises, Inc. and Bright Maritime Corp.
which did not waver coordinating with the Department to bring home these seafarers to their loved ones.
Upon arrival, the Filipino seamen will be brought to a local hospital to ensure their physical and psychological
well-being. END
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RP urges International Community to Sustain Momentum towards Nuclear Disarmament
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The Philippines today called on the international community as it threw its full support to an unprecedented
United Nations Security Council resolution that called on all Member States to unite and work for a nuclear-
weapons-free world.
“We must sustain the momentum by working together and renewing our efforts to make our world a safer place
for us and the succeeding generations”, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said at the end of a historic
Security Council summit that was presided over by United States President Obama.
The summit, which took place four years after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo presided over a similar
summit, was only the fifth such high-level meeting in the history of the United Nations and the first such meeting
of the Security Council that touched on the issue of disarmament and non-proliferation.
Thirteen other world leaders, including Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Chinese President Hu Jintao,
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, participated in Thursday’s summit
which was attended by Secretary Romulo and Ambassador Hilario G. Davide Jr., Philippine Permanent
Representative to the United Nations.
“The Philippines is one with the rest of the world in efforts to achieve disarmament and non-proliferation,”
Secretary Romulo said after the meeting that unanimously adopted Resolution 1887 that called on Member
States to renew efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote disarmament and reduce the risk of
nuclear terrorism.
“This move by the Security Council, under the presidency of the United States, gives a much-needed boost to
our collective desire to see a world safe from nuclear weapons,” Secretary Romulo said of the resolution that
also called on Member States to, among others, accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT); to refrain
from conducting nuclear test explosions; and to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
(CTBT).
The Philippine Mission to the United Nations said the adoption of the resolution and other recent developments,
including President Obama’s declared commitment to help achieve a world without nuclear weapons, have set
positive tone to the NPT Review Conference that the Philippines will steer next year.
The Philippines Mission said these developments would allow Philippine Ambassador Libran Cabactulan, the
2010 NPT Review Conference president, to effectively lead negotiations that would push the stalled international
disarmament and nonproliferation agenda forward.
President Obama said the Security Council resolution reflects the nuclear agenda he outlined in a speech he
delivered in Prague where he called for the reduction of US and Russian nuclear arsenals, the adoption of the
treaty banning all nuclear tests and the establishments of an international fuel bank to better safeguard nuclear
material.
“The historic resolution we just adopted enshrines our shared commitment to a goal of a world without nuclear
weapons and it brings Security Council agreement on a broad framework for action to reduce nuclear dangers
as we work toward that goal”, President Obama said after the vote by the 15 member body. END
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International Cooperation for Peace and Progress by H.E. Dr. Alberto G. Romulo,
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines at the General Debate 64th
Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, 25 September 2009
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Allow me to warmly congratulate you on your well-deserved election as the head of this 64th session of the UN
General Assembly. Please count on the full cooperation of the Philippines as you discharge the duties of your
high office.
We are gathered here today, in this parliament of the nations, to find meaningful solutions to conflict and crisis
confronting our world today. Though there are signs of global recovery, now is neither the time for complacency
nor for a return to business as usual. Our drive for enhancing global development has clearly slowed, while the
challenges to peace remain starkly before us.
Through globalization, we have witnessed unprecedented material progress and record poverty alleviation. Yet
the poorest 40 percent of the world population still live on less than $2 a day. Nor have we resolved the climate
change and food crises that oppress hundreds of millions of human beings.
Much of global development has been the fruits of labor, including the labor of migrant workers. Yet despite their
contributions to the global economy, too many migrants remain exposed to exploitation and abuse.
Moreover, the peace dividend from the end of the Cold War never materialized, even as we continue to confront
nuclear proliferation and violent conflict. The shortage of aid resources, and faltering trade and investment, are
generating a global development emergency. Many nations will not attain the MDGs on target. Development
gains are being tragically lost.
Our march of progress must not stall. Not on our watch. Not while we have the will, the vision and the means to
build a better world, inspired by a shared commitment to justice, equity, non-discrimination, progress and peace.
And we should do so by focusing on five great challenges of our time:
First: Promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation;
Second: Managing the global crisis to encourage equitable recovery, fairer globalization and faster poverty
alleviation;
Third: Protecting and promoting the rights of migrants who continue to contribute to global development and the
well-being of our societies;
Fourth: Taking urgent measures to effectively address the adverse effects of climate change without further
delay; and
Fifth: Reducing conflict and deepening mutual understanding and respect through greater interfaith and
inter-civilizational dialogue.
DISARMAMENT AND NON-PROLIFERATION
Mr. President,
Nuclear weapons and their technology are a threat to international peace and security, and the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is our central mechanism to contain and eventually eliminate this threat. The May
2010 NPT Review Conference, over which the Philippines will preside, provides the next opportunity for all of us
to act on this in a concerted manner.
We can be encouraged by certain recent development on this front. We have had the constructive atmosphere of
the preparatory committee meetings to the Review Conference.
President Obama has announced that he will lead the US to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),
another key pillar of the global disarmament and NPT system.
In addition, the United States and Russia are making headway under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
(START) to reduce their deployed nuclear warheads and delivery systems beyond its pending expiry this
December.
The South-East Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and other regional nuclear free zones continue to
reinforce the NPT system as well.
These positive developments inspire the Philippines, in steering the review conference, to conduct negotiations
and consultations in an open and transparent manner.
In this spirit, we reiterate our call for the few remaining countries that have not yet done so to accede to both the
CTBT and the NPT in order to give greater hope for lasting peace and security for our world.
GLOBAL CRISIS, RECOVERY AND A NEW GLOBALIZATION
Mr. President,
The global financial and economic crisis is placing intolerable strain on the poorest of the poor undermining
years of effort to attain internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs, and to combat ill-heath
and hunger.
The crisis has been accompanied by increases in unemployment, with concomitant declining incomes and
demand. The ILO estimates that unemployment could rise by 50 million during 2009, taking the global
unemployment rate to above 7 per cent.
The Philippines and many other nations are implementing stimulus packages, accelerated employment
generation programs and enhanced social safety nets. In the Philippines we strengthened our banking sector
and fiscal position through tough reforms, which blunted the full force of the global crisis. The Philippines is one
of the few economies that continue to have positive GDP growth.
However, we cannot ignore the impact of the global crisis elsewhere in our interdependent world. The
Philippines thus joins other nations in this General Assembly in calling for a united effort in the United Nations
to act for the common good of all our peoples.
The UN Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development, held in this
very hall last June, presented UN Member States with lines of action that we must take now to stimulate the
global economy, improve regulation and monitoring, and reform processes and institutions to prevent any
recurrence of this crisis.
We see the Global Jobs Pact that the International Labor Organization (ILO) put forward, and which was
endorsed by the ECOSOC last July, as another important step to recover from this crisis.
We reiterate our call on all countries to resist protectionism, in order to expand trade and investment flows, and
on developed nations to maintain their ODA commitments.
Furthermore, the voice of the developing world must now be fully heard in reforming international financial and
development institutions so that we can forge a more equitable and stable global economic system to avoid
future crises.
MIGRANT WORKERS AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING
Mr. President,
Global migrants are among the groups most adversely affected by the crisis. The international community,
therefore, has a shared responsibility, to ensure their protection, taking into full account the special
vulnerabilities of the gender and family dimensions of the issue.
The Second Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), which the Philippines was privileged to chair,
reinforced this important message by focusing on the human face of migration, and on the human rights and
empowerment of migrants.
In this regard, we also urge all nations to accede to the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All
Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, and to avoid unfair restrictions and treatment of migrants.
MITIGATING AND ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Mr. President,
We must carry the momentum of the Summit on Climate Change here in New York forward into the negotiations
under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on the road to Copenhagen
this December. The world expects nothing less from us.
The Philippines, therefore, calls on the concerned developed countries to present their firm post-Kyoto
greenhouse gas emission targets, taking into account the ideal levels suggested by the scientific community.
They must also assist developing countries mitigate and adapt to worsening climate change by fulfilling their
UNFCCC obligations to provide technological and financial support. As a coordinator of the G-77 in the talks, the
Philippines will continue to work with all parties to help ensure a positive outcome in Copenhagen.
The Philippines is doing its part to advance this vital global agenda. We have recently enacted a landmark law
promoting the development and use of renewable energy resources, especially biofuels.
Earlier this month, the Philippines also hosted the International Conference on Green Industry in Asia. The
Manila Declaration on Green Industry in Asia and Framework of Action adopted by that Conference promoted the
integration of sustainable development into industrial development processes for the transition to
resource-efficient and low-carbon industries. We hope that elements of the Manila Declaration will provide
inputs for Copenhagen as well.
GREATER INTERFAITH AND INTERCIVILIZATIONAL DIALOGUE
Mr. President,
The international community must also focus on the urgent need to reduce tension and conflict fueled by
perceived differences in religion, faith and civilization. If left unattended, such conflict can fester, causing greater
tension and untold human suffering and violence, which extremists can exploit
The urgency of this matter has prompted the Philippines and many partner nations and organizations to
promote greater interfaith dialogue, within the United Nations system as well as on regional and national levels.
By building bridges of understanding, this global advocacy enhances peace and development.
The Philippines has tabled annually a UN resolution calling for interreligious and intercultural dialogue,
understanding and cooperation for peace, which the UN General Assembly has always adopted unanimously.
We initiated in the UN the Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace, composed of
countries from all regions of the world.
In 2006, we also launched a global Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, headquartered in New
York, made up of 54 governments, 15 UN agencies and 110 religious NGOs at the UN.
To reinforce this effort, the Philippines will host the first Special Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial
Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development in Manila this December. We are
pleased to invite all UN and NAM members and other interested nations as observer to this important and
seminal meeting.
UN PEACEKEEPING
The spirit of multilateralism and prudent realism demands that we support UN peacekeeping efforts. In crises
and emergencies around the world, we must collectively do more to alleviate suffering and to help nations and
communities secure self-sustaining peace.
The Philippines will continue to be active in UN peacekeeping. Indeed, the Philippines has become one of the
largest contributors of individual police officers to UN peacekeeping operations. We have more than 600
peacekeepers serving with distinction around the world. Next month, we will send a battalion in support of the
UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights.
Mr. President,
We stand on the cusp of history. It is in our hands, here in the United Nations, to shape these changes and
trends so that we will leave to succeeding generations a lasting legacy of a world of greater justice,
compassion, and well-being.
The Philippines is deeply honored to assist and cooperate with all nations in the task of building a future where
peace and prosperity reign unceasingly for the benefit of all mankind.
Thank you.
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RP wants Developed Countries to Undertake Early and Deep Cuts in Greenhouse
Gases
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Underscoring their responsibility in addressing the effects of climate change, the Philippines reiterated its call
for the United States and other developed countries to immediately take drastic measures to cut greenhouse
gas emissions.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo made this call following the Summit on Climate Change convened
by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on September 22 at the UN Headquarters here and
participated in by world leaders led by US President Barack Obama.
In a statement issued at the end of what is considered to be the largest gathering of world leaders to address
the issue of climate change, Secretary Romulo appealed to the developed countries for more cuts, saying they
are responsible for the vast bulk of past and current greenhouse gas emissions and are “primarily accountable
to addressing the effects of climate change.”
“We actively call on developed countries to cut deep and cut early. We also wish to stress that the time frame for
such cuts is crucial,” Secretary Romulo said his statement.
“Deep cuts should be put into effect within the first 10 years after the first commitment period under the Kyoto
Protocol ending in 2012,” he said, adding that deep and early cuts in greenhouse gas emissions would curtail
the destructive effects of climate change such as prolonged droughts, floods and heat waves.
Secretary Romulo, at the same time, called on developed countries for a financial commitment for the
adaptation, technology transfer and capacity building of developing countries. He said that financing for
adaptation measures is specifically important for the Philippines as it is ranked number one in the disaster risk
index for typhoons.
“Together with our call for deep and early cuts, we are negotiating towards a Copenhagen decision that will take
into account the economic and social development as the first overriding priorities of developing countries such
as the Philippines. Our right to sustainable development is clear in the Convention,” Secretary Romulo said.
Aside from President Obama, the other heads of state who participated in the Summit on Climate Change
included China’s President Hu Jintao and France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy. The summit sought to mobilize
the political will and generate the momentum needed to reach an ambitious agreement at the UN Climate
Conference in Copenhagen in December. END
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Mid-Autumn comes to Xiamen
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About 130 Filipinos living in Xiamen and in neighboring cities joined the officers and staff of the Philippine
Consulate General and their families in the afternoon of 20 September 2009 at the Consulate General’s
grounds to celebrate the annual Mid-Autumn Festival with a Dice Game or Bo Bing, a tradition that originated in
and is unique to Xiamen.
Organized by the Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX), in cooperation with the Consulate General, the event also
served as an occasion to celebrate the 11th Founding Anniversary of the Association and the election of a new
batch of FAX officers who will serve for the next two years.
Speaking to the community, Consul General Raul S. Hernandez lauded the outgoing FAX officers for bringing
together Filipinos through various annual activities such as the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. The Consul
General promised the Consulate General’s continued support to the Association which he considers as one of
its significant partners in promoting Philippine interest in Xiamen.
Outgoing FAX president, Mr. Ramil Collera for his part thanked the Consulate General’s active involvement in
their endeavors, especially during his term. He further encouraged the incoming FAX offi cers to continue
cooperating with the Consulate General.
Over merienda, the nomination and election for the new set of 15 FAX officers started. This was followed by the
Dice Game which is considered by the Xiamenese as the highlight of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration.
The half-day event concluded with a raffle draw of prizes pooled together by the Consulate General, FAX and
some Xiamen-based Filipino entrepreneurs. END.
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China-Philippine Chamber of Commerce to expand into Fujian
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As part of its untiring efforts to broaden Philippines-China economic relations and promote Philippine interests
in Southeastern China, the Philippine Consulate General co-hosted a dinner-meeting with Filipino
businessmen, in cooperation with Mr. Joseph Lim, Chairman of the China-Philippines Chamber of Commerce
(CPCC) on 18 September at the Marco Polo Hotel Xiamen.
In attendance were Filipinos and Filipino-Chinese businessmen and top executives of Chinese and Filipino-
Chinese owned companies within Fujian province. These include the Lucio Tan group of companies (Eton
Properties Xiamen Ltd., Allied Bank and Philippine Airlines), Robinson’s Land, Sanyi Steel Co. Ltd., Zhangzhou
Xinyan Environmental Protection Products Co. Ltd., Gotesco Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., and many
others. The dinner-meeting was also graced by Mr. Lin Shuxi, President of the China Council for the Promotion
of International Trade (CCPIT), Xiamen Sub-branch.
The purpose of the event was to introduce the Chamber to local Filipino and Filipino-Chinese businessmen and
recruit Fujian-based members. The CPCC, which has offices in Beijing and Guangzhou, is planning to open a
chapter in Xiamen as part of its efforts to expand its membership and influence. Guangzhou-based Philippine
Trade Attaché, Mr. Emmanuel W. Ang flew in to help promote the Chamber in this part of China.
During the event, Consul General Raul S. Hernandez welcomed the attendees and thanked the Filipino-
Chinese businessmen for giving their time for the event and for showing their solidarity as Filipinos in China.
Noting that many Filipino-Chinese trace their roots to Fujian and have come back to invest in this Chinese
province, Consul General Hernandez added that the Chamber should be able to have strong membership here.
For his part, Mr. Lin of the CCPIT also made brief remarks on the economic relations between the Philippines
and Xiamen and wished the Chamber much success.
The Consulate is extending all possible support to CPCC, especially since it is the only such bilateral Chamber
accredited and recognized by the Chinese government. It was organized in 25 January 2005, as proposed by Dr.
Thomas G. Aquino, Senior Undersecretary of Department of Trade and Industry, with a view to further promote
bilateral trade and investment ties between R. P. China and the Philippines. The CPCC is recognized by the
Chinese Ministry of Commerce, and its registration was permitted by the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs. As the
exclusive Philippine Chamber in China, the CPCC is officially authorized by Chinese government to engage
trade and investment activities all over China, at national and local levels. END.
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RP Embassy in Amman Repatriates 56 Filipinos from Jordan
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The Philippine Embassy in Amman reported that it repatriated 56 Filipinos from Jordan last September 26 who
departed on eight different flights. The 56 Filipinos later boarded three separate flights from their transit points
for the final homeward leg to Manila. The first of the three groups arrived in Manila last 27 September with
Embassy Welfare officer Carmelita R. Mag-uyon. The repatriation was initiated under instructions from Labor
Secretary Marianito D. Roque and funded through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The repatriates came from the Nadara Administrative Detention Centre after a crackdown by Jordanian
authorities against foreigners without legitimate residency status. Another group of runaway household service
workers are expected to be repatriated within the next few weeks once their individual cases are resolved by the
embassy’s unified Case Management Team (CMT) which is composed of ATN officers and labor officials from
the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.
Ambassador Julius D. Torres expressed satisfaction with the way the CMT quickly demonstrated its mettle less
than a fortnight after a highly productive team building workshop. The CMT was able to secure exit clearances
for the repatriates despite the short lead time it had and even as government offices in Jordan were closed for
the Eid holidays.
The fast-tracking significantly reduce the number of distressed OFWs at the Filipino Workers’ Resource Center
(FWRC).
“Our intention is that by year’s end, we would be able to restore the focus of the FWRC as a training center to
enhance the skills of OFWs in Jordan,” explained Amb. Torres.
Ambassador Torres also expressed hope that the close cooperation between the Embassy and the Jordanian
government on labor issues would serve to strengthen bilateral labor cooperation between the two countries.
He highlighted the need for a new memorandum of agreement to be signed since the last bilateral agreement
on labor never entered into force.
“If a memorandum of agreement is signed before the end of the year, this would help ensure that regulations
are put in place to better protect Filipino household service workers already in Jordan and prevent instances of
trafficking by illegal recruiters. It would also allow the Philippines to open up other sectors for Filipino workers,”
Ambassador Torres said. END
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Philippine Retirement Authority Conducts Marketing Tour in Europe
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The European Promotional Campaign of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) kicks off to The Netherlands
on September 20 with the arrival of Chairperson Edgar B. Aglipay, PRA Servicing Center Head Philip John B.
Moreno, IRemit Regional Head Ryan S. Tongson, and Attorney Emmeline Y. Aglipay.
With the slogans of “Smile at Life…in the Philippines” and “Live in style…live in the Philippines”, PRA aims to
promote the Philippines as the preferred retirement destination in Southeast Asia.
The PRA European Campaign will cover seven (7) countries from September 20 to October 9, namely The
Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, France, and United Kingdom.
PRA Chairman Aglipay gave a briefing to the Embassy staff in the morning of September 22 at the Chancery in
The Hague on the coverage of the comprehensive retirement program.
PRA has identified three (3) essential needs of retirees: housing, healthcare, and lifestyle services. These
needs have been addressed by PRA’s retirement program.
The PRA in coordination with Philippine Retirement Incorporated (PRI) has also developed standards of
accreditation in terms of safety, comfort and satisfaction of retirees which are up to international standards.
In the afternoon of September 22, the PRA delegation together with Ambassador Luna and members of the
Embassy staff went to the Philippine Trade and Investments Office in Rotterdam where a briefing for Dutch
businessmen was organized by Trade Attache Alma F. Argayoso. Dutch government officials, businessmen and
Filipino organization representatives attended the briefing. END
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