Amid Separatism and Bonds: Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day

Amid Separatism and Bonds: Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day

By: Marla Arielle B. So, AB POSC IRFS - ECON – 3

            On June 30, 2015, the IRFS 141 class of Atty. Archill Niña Faller Capistrano feasted on Hispanic hors d’oeuvres and history in honor of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. The classroom celebration — courtesy of a joint alliance between Team Hegemon and Team Titans — was conducted with much pomp, beginning with a Roman Catholic prayer and the playing of the national anthems of the two states. Student reporters covered several topics ranging from the significance of the date, to the methods of observance in both contexts, to comparisons between Filipino and Spanish culture.

Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day commemorates the Siege of Baler, a nearly year-long military operation against the last Spanish hideout in the burgeoning Philippine Republic. On June 27, 1998, towards the end of the Spanish-American War, less than 60 Spanish soldiers barricaded themselves within the Church of Baler. Despite news of the surrender of Manila to the US, starvation in the face of dwindling rations and outbreaks of diseases, the troops held out for almost 11 months. They surrendered on June 2, 1899.

Loyalty, perseverance, military valor: all are ideals held by both Filipinos and Spaniards. Because of their display, the remaining Spanish soldiers earned the respect of the Philippine troops. President Emilio Aguinaldo granted the survivors safe passage to Spain. Furthermore, the Philippine government promulgated Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day through Republic Act No. 09187, series of 2002. The people of Baler, now the capital of Aurora Province, enjoy a special non-working holiday in commemoration of the two states’ bond.

Structuralism is an international relations perspective which sees institutions such as society and religion as the basis for action. Using structuralism as a lens, the interaction between the Philippines and Spain can be seen as a result of their shared traits. The theme for the 13^th year of the celebration is “Transitions, Trade, and Transpacific Changes.” Despite any bad blood caused by centuries-long colonialism, Spain is now the Philippines’ 28th largest trading partner. Both states have assisted in the preservation of each other’s economy and heritage sites. Similarities in culture are both active and abound.

Spain and the Philippines also have comparable separatist groups. Historically, Spain’s Reconquista led to the expulsion of non-Catholics from the state; in contemporary times, there are secessionist movements in the regions of Catalonia and Basque. During the initial colonization of the Philippines, the Muslim resistance in Mindanao led to the creation of dissimilar national views. The resulting conflict is still felt even in 2015. A question Atty. Capistrano threw to her class was “What can the Philippines learn from Spain on separatism?”

The IRFS 141 class capped off their celebration with a mix of authentic and fusion cuisine. It is easy to see the union of Spanish and Philippine influence when one digs into Spanish paella from Ipar's Restaurante Y Bar De Tapas, and loaded empanadas and leche flan from Homebakers, Inc. The food was coupled with videos showcasing the beauty of Spain and the Philippines: two countries with similar identities in the midst of an ever-changing world.

SOURCES:

Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. (n.d.). Presidential Museum and Library. Retrieved from http://malacanang.gov.ph/4148-philippine-spanish-friendship-day/.

After centuries-long colonial rule, PH, Spain ‘partners for life’ (2015). Inquirer News. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/701760/after-centuries-long-colonial-rule-ph-spain-partners-for-life

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Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in Cebu City: Proposed Resolution

PHILIPPINE-SPANISH FRIENDSHIP DAY IN CEBU CITY: Proposed Resolution

By Frances Aurem Villaflor, SUPERPOWER

The City of Cebu as we all know is a city brimful of rich history and historical firsts. It is a city wherein Spanish ancestry and religion is vivid and greatly practiced. There is a need for the City of Cebu to officially celebrate the Philippine-Spanish friendship day in order to commemorate the historical ties and friendship between Cebu and Spain and to bring back the good memories that were made during the Spanish colonization.

 The Philippines was first discovered when a Portuguese explorer named Ferdinand Magellan and his troops arrived in the island of Cebu in 1521. Magellan was welcomed by Rajah Humabon, the native chieftain of Cebu and his wife Queen Humammay. Magellan started converting a lot of people to Christianity and planted a cross that served as a symbol of natives accepting the religion and embracing the Christian faith. He also gave the image of Santo Nino to Queen Humabon as a present and the symbol of the native’s alliance to Spain. However, it was opposed by the local chieftain of Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu, which led to a bloody fight between the natives and Magellan’s people.

In 1565, an expedition from New Spain arrived, commanded by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. He was appointed by King Philip II of Spain to be the first Governor-General in the Philippines. This was the time when Spanish colonization finally began in Cebu. The first Philippine peace treaty was signed in June 4, 1565 by Rajah Tupas and General Legazpi. Under the agreement, Cebu recognized the Spanish government which, in return, would protect Cebu in times of war. The Basilica del Sto. Nino is the first Roman Catholic Church in the country that was built in Cebu around 1565.

The presence of the Spaniards bolstered and transformed Cebu. It did not only make churches but it also helped in establishing schools. The agriculture, trade and commerce in Cebu also flourished during this time. With the things aforementioned above, we can really say that there is a need to celebrate a Philippine-Spanish friendship day here in Cebu City. History shows the importance and impact of Spain brought to the former fishing and trading village.

A proposed resolution hereby follows to establish a celebration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in the City of Cebu:

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, in recalling Republic Act No. 9187, s. 2002, an act declaring June 30 of the year as Philippine-Spanish friendship day, as a means to strengthen the relationship between two nations that share history, traditions, and values;

WHEREAS, in reaffirming the aforementioned Republic Act, the City of Cebu should also have an official celebration on the said friendship day to commemorate the historical ties and friendship between Cebu and Spain;

WHEREAS, the City of Cebu, is where the first permanent settlement of the Spanish colonizers was established and is the cradle of Christianity;

WHEREAS, it is necessary and desirable that the City of Cebu will celebrate a Philippine-Spanish friendship day every year in order for Cebuanos to remember the rich history and influence that the Spanish colonizers have left here in the country and in Cebu;

NOW THEREFORE, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Cebu, as moved by Member_________________, and seconded by Member ______________;

RESOLVED, to request the Mayor, Hon. Michael L. Rama to approve the celebration of the Philippine-Spanish friendship day here in Cebu City; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, to authorize the Acting City Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to furnish copies of this resolution to the Office of the Mayor, Cebu City Tourism and International Relations Commission, Sister City Commission, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and all other concerned parties for their information and guidance.

REFERENCES:

Cebu City and the Spanish past. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2015 http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/cebu4.htm

History. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2015. http://www.cebucity.gov.ph/history

History of Cebu. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2015. http://www.everythingcebu.com/lifestyle/culture/history-of-cebu/

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A Proposed Resolution for the Celebration of the International Day of Friendship

A PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP
by Renee Dominique C. Rodelas, Team Hegemon

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

International Day of Friendship, commonly known as World Friendship Day, is a United Nations (UN) proclamation that highlights friendship - between peoples, countries, cultures and/or individuals – as a fundamental idea to promote peace, unity, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation between domestic and international communities while encouraging the youth, as future leaders, to get involved in activities that promote international understanding and respect for diversity.

Inspired by the friendship celebrations of some South African countries, World Friendship Day started out as a concept proposed by Dr. Ramon Artemio Brachio and his collegues while having dinner on the River Paraguay in 1958. The meeting resulted to a weeklong friendship celebration from 21 to 27 July 1958 with the entire community of Puerto Pinasco, then to Asuncion, Concepcion, Puerto Sastre and Puerto Casado. The following year, the week of Friendship was held from 24 to 30, with July 30 as the closing act of the celebration. This social impact led to the creation of the World Friendship Crusade in 1968, and the establishment of its branches in the Vatican, Canary Islands, Columbia, Tokyo, Jerusalem, United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, France, and Netherlands (History of the World Friendship Crusade, 2008). The Crusade began to lobby to UN for the recognition of World Friendship Day for years until finally, on 2011, the General Assembly decided to designate 30 July as the International Day of Friendship and invited all member-states to observe the International Day of Friendship in accordance with the culture and customs of their local, national and regional communities through education and public awareness-raising activities (UN General Assembly, 2011).

World Friendship Day is also intended to support the goals and objectives of the “Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace”, a UNESCO-proposed initiative that defines the values, attitude, and behavior that rejects violence and prevent conflicts throughout the globe. Adopted in 1999, the Declaration sets out area actions designed for individuals, nations, and communities in order for “culture of peace” to prevail, specifically the promotion of sustainable economic and social development, promotion of international peace and security, support for participatory communication and democratic participation, education, respect for human rights and gender equality, and advance understanding, tolerance and solidarity (UN General Assembly, 1999). This Day also supports the “International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World” proclamation, emphasizing the need for “culture of peace” and non-violence to emanate from adults and be instilled in children in order to the strengthen of international peace and cooperation (UN General Assembly, 1998).

Cebu is and always has been a catering of many cultures. With its strategic location being at the heart of the Philippines itself, Cebu has been a business hub for both local and international businessmen and traders. Historically speaking, Cebu has established economic ties with China, Malaysia, Japan, India, Burma and other parts of Asia even before the Spanish era. Currently, information technology (IT) has been one of Cebu’s economic drivers in the recent years, contributing 56 percent of Metro Cebu’s total economic output, with foreign BPO companies like call center agencies at the forefront of the business (Sicat, 2014). Since 2010, its export growth rate has averaged close to 20 percent, considerably higher than any other province in the Philippines. Its major hubs have helped increased economic activity within its peripheries while supporting the thousands of domestic and international employees, workers and businessmen in the area (Adarme, 2015). This lush attention of Cebu has not only attracted businessmen abroad, but has also fascinated foreigners with its culture and heritage. From old European to the traditional Chinese up to the modern Western culture, its rich collection of culture has made Cebu a well-distinguished cosmopolitan. Tourist arrival statistics to the Central Visayas is now 2.1 million, with Cebu’s tourist arrivals contributing 90 percent to the system (Cacho, 2015). Its famous tourist spots like the Sto. Niño Basilica, Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, and the old Jesuit House and museums positively impacted tourism in the province, thus hailed as the “Tourism Gateway for Central and Southern Philippines” (Adarme, 2015).

The objective of World Friendship Day is to promote unity and fellowship irrespective of religion, race, colour, class and creed. Despite the gritty and shady past between countries, the Philippines have continuously observe the celebration of its Friendship Day with Spain, Japan and the United States, among others, signifying camaraderie with their former colonizers. While friendship days are commemorations of ties established to celebrate, to remember and to reconcile with each other from a bitter past, the celebration of World Friendship Day can serve as a medium for Cebu to take advantage of its nature as having a mixture of culture, norms and heritages that individuals, regardless of nationality, can commemorate through sharing cultural practices.

Word Count: 796

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, in recalling the United Nation Resolution 65/L.72 designating July 30 as the International Day of Friendship inviting all member-states to observe this celebration in an appropriate manner and in accordance to the culture and customs of their local, national and regional communities;

WHEREAS, the celebration of the Philippines’ bilateral relationships with countries such as Republic Act 9187 or the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, Proclamation No. 905 or the Philippine-Japanese Friendship Day, Proclamation No. 148 or the Philippine-Chinese Friendship Day, and Proclamation No. 811 or the Filipino-American Friendship Day, strengthened by its historical ties and shared cultures, values and traditions, signifies its commitment to unity and camaraderie;

WHEREAS, in reaffirming the statements mentioned above, the University of San Carlos Political Science majors of International Relations of Foreign Service (IRFS) and the Carolinian Circle of Young Diplomats (CCYD) shall partner with the Office of External Relations to celebrate the International Day of Friendship every 30^th of July;

WHEREAS, a World Friendship Day photo exhibit shall be displayed inside the premise of the University of San Carlos – Downtown Campus, showcasing the importance and significance of the celebration, as well as the efforts made by UN member-states in commemorating the event;

THEREFORE, the Carolinian Circle of Young Diplomats in its ___ Parliamentary session assembled and as moved by Rt. Hon. Renee Dominique C. Rodelas and seconded by ______

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, to request the IRFS 141: Special Topics in International Relations to research the necessary information on the celebration as stated above;

RESOLVED FURTHER, to direct the Ministry of Documentation to furnish copies of this resolution to IRFS 141 Instructor and CCYD Adviser Atty. Archill Niña F. Capistrano, MInternatRel and to the CCYD Ministries for their information and guidance.

Submitted by:

Rt. Hon. Renee Dominique C. Rodelas, MP
Minister of Information and Communication

REFERENCES

Public Holidays. (2015). International Day of Friendship 2015 and 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from Public Holidays: http://publicholidays.global/global-observances/international-day-of-friendship/

History of the World Friendship Crusade. (2008, March 31). Retrieved August 31, 2015, from Gral. Pablo L. Avila Online: http://cplavila.blogspot.com/2008/03/resea-histrica-de-la-cruzada-mundial-de.html

UN General Assembly. (2011, April 21). International Day of Friendship. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from United Nations: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/65/L.72

United Nations. (n.d.). International Day of Friendship. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from United Nations: http://www.un.org/en/events/friendshipday/

International Day of Friendship - Background. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2015, from United Nations: http://www.un.org/en/events/friendshipday/background.shtml

UN General Assembly. (1998, November 19). International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001–2010). Retrieved August 31, 2015, from United Nations: http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/53/25

UN General Assembly. (1999, October 6). Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from United Nations: http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/53/243

Cebu - Quick Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2015, from Province of Cebu Official Website: http://www.cebu.gov.ph/about-cebu/quick-facts/

Adarme, N. (2015, May 9). 5 Reasons Cebu’s Economy is Growing so Rapidly. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from Megaworld: http://www.megaworldatthefort.com/blog/5-reasons-cebus-economy-is-growing-so-rapidly/

Sicat, G. P. (2014, May 21). Cebu is booming. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from Philstar: http://www.philstar.com/business/2014/05/21/1325390/cebu-booming

Cacho, K. O. (2015, August 21). Central Visayas welcomed 2.1 million visitors this year. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from Sun Star: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2015/08/21/central-visayas-welcomed-21-million-visitors-year-425971

Proclamation No. 148, s. 2002. (2002). Retrieved August 31, 2015, from Official Gazette: http://www.gov.ph/2002/01/24/proclamation-no-148-s-2002/

Proclamation No. 905, s. 2005. (2005). Retrieved August 31, 2015, from Official Gazette: http://www.gov.ph/2005/08/30/proclamation-no-905-s-2005/

Republic Act 9187. (2002). Retrieved August 31, 2015, from House of Representatives: http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_12/RA09187.pdf

Proclamation No. 811, s. 1996. (1996). Retrieved August 31, 2015, from Official Gazette: http://www.gov.ph/1996/07/17/proclamation-no-811-s-1996/

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Philippines and Japan over China

Philippines and Japan over China

by Patricia Piramide

China as a rising power is seeking and making its way to be at par with today’s considered hegemon, United States of America. But, unfortunately, China’s considered manner of reaching the top is mostly through aggression. Now, China is making an issue about their territorial claims that have already affected its relationship with other countries, such as Philippines and Japan. 

Japan and China has its conflict due to their competing claims of the eight uninhabited islands and rocks known as Senkaku islands in Japan and Diaoyu islands in China. The islands have a total of 7 sq km in area and lie north-east of Taiwan, east of the Chinese mainland and south-west of Japan's southern-most prefecture, Okinawa.

Japan based its claim of the islands to that of January 14, 1895 when Japan erected a sovereignty marker and formally incorporated the islands into Japanese territory. And that prior to the establishment of the sovereignty marker, Japan says it surveyed the islands for 10 years in the 19th Century and determined that they were uninhabited.

On the other hand, China and based its claim when the said islands have been part of its territory since ancient times, serving as important fishing grounds administered by the province of Taiwan.

These eight inhabited islands and rocks: Senkaku islands as known in Japan and Diaoyu islands as in China matter because they are close to important shipping lanes, offer rich fishing grounds and lie near potential oil and gas reserves. Up to now, the territorial dispute between China and Japan is still unsettled.

Another unsettled conflict of China with that of another country, the Philippines, which also involves territorial dispute, is the claim of Spratlys or the South China Sea as known for China and West Philippine Sea for the Philippines.

China claims by far the largest portion of territory - an area defined by the "nine-dash line" which stretches hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan. China also uses historical accounts to legalize their claim and to which they believe that its right to the area goes back centuries to when the Paracel and Spratly island chains were regarded as integral parts of the Chinese nation, and in 1947 it issued a map detailing its claims.

Philippines invokes its geographical proximity based on UNCLOS 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone to the Spratly Islands as the main basis of its claim for part of the grouping. 

Some of the reasons why there are a lot of claimants of Spratly islands are due to its rich reserves of natural resources: hydrocarbons, abundance of marine resources such as fish. Also, due to commercial shipping purposes. 

Now, Japan and the Philippines teamed up against China during a regional security forum most probably because both Japan and the Philippines are undergoing territorial disputes with China. With their cooperation now, four sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, a news agency company, that Japan was looking to offer three Beechcraft TC-90 King Air planes that could be fitted with basic surface and air surveillance radar.

Japan wants to give planes to the Philippines that Manila could use for patrols in the South China Sea, sources said, a move that would deepen Tokyo's security ties with the Southeast Asian nation most at odds with Beijing over the disputed waterway. Actually, Tokyo has no claims in the waterway, but is worried Beijing's new islands will extend Chinese military reach into sea lanes through which much of Japan's ship-borne trade passes.

To resolve these issues through peace talks and/or bilateral agreements should have been much better if only the Chinese government could have been more cooperative and open-minded in addressing and equally compensating each and everyone’s interests for the common good of all the parties concerned.

Word Count – 643

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Rohingya

ROHINGYA

by Athena Cara Yauder

“There is a reason why violence, anger and war are spreading in this time when realpolitik has superseded humanity, when politics is perceived as oppression and when countries ally themselves around self- interest rather than love. The people of a country have for years been living under persecution and facing genocide before the eyes of theworld, and the world knows this, but still says nothing. This means the problem is one of conscience, not evidence.” -Harun Yahya

In the country of Myanmar (Burma), where majority of its people are Buddhists, Rohingya Muslims have always been considered as an ethnic Muslim minority. They form the largest single group of “stateless” people in the world; making them considered as the world’s most persecuted minority. Burma has numerous ethnic groups of which there are nearly 140 ethnic races are living within 60% of its area and Rohingya is one of them, which majority are living in Arakan. (Islam, 2006)

Atrocities and the practice of genocide against the Rohingya minority with manifest intention to destroy the Rohingya people from their ancestral homeland of Arakan/Burma have long been enduring. This large scale persecution through ethnic cleansing and genocidal action of the Myanmar/Burmese government against these people has caused them to flee the country to seek refuge against humanitarian abuses. According to a non- profit group Physicians for Human Rights, in their 2013, there have been human rights abuses committed by the Burmese military. Rohingya Muslims have been long denied evidently of their citizenship and freedom and worse, even of their basic rights such as of having food, access to medical treatments, right to family, education and right to movement. (BBC News, 2015) They have been forced to leave since Burmese independence in 1948 and are now mostly found in Burma’s neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and even in the lands of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. There were unprecedented refugee influxes mostly in Bangladesh once in 1978 and the other in between 1991- 1992 with constant trickle of refugee exodus all along. (Islam, 2006) In search for better life, many relied on trafficking and smuggling networks with some of these countries. (The Guardian, 2015)

The situation in Myanmar has gotten worse as its government had just recently (last 2010) transitioned from a military- led government to a somewhat “more” democratic system; causing violence against Muslims in its worst form. Despite the effort of the Rohingya Muslims to seek for help from these countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia; initially, they did not approve for any extension of help the refugees, claiming that they are financially unable to accept these unfortunate people. It was only last 2012 that the world became more concerned with their situation following the violent attacks and acts of arson to the Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine State. The United Nations last 2012 have finally advocated for the protection of the rights of the Rohingya Muslims, on April 2013, the Rakhine State Conflicts Investigation Commission has strengthened security actions in Rakhine, and also there has been a help from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), helping local authorities provide assistance to the migrants. Malaysia and Indonesia have finally opened their doors to accept the migrants for one year, or until they can be resettled or repatriated with the help of international agencies. (Rappler, 2015) With the intervention of the from the international community (Association of the South- East Asian Nations, and United Nations), the Myanmar government had somehow taken some action plan to also create a resolution to the escalating conflict and restore back the peace and harmony within its territory, through ensuring justice and communal coordination. However, just as what Yahya (2014) noted in his article from what Phil Robertson, deputy director for Asia at Human Rights Watch has expressed, the plan is extremely disconcerting; the fact that whichever of the two options in the resolution they have introduced to the United Nations, still it will give the Rohingya no rights whatsoever and make them helpless prisoners.

Despite the country’s transition of its government ruling, anti- Muslim chauvinism is unfortunately still very evident indeed. The way they have been treating people have given many reasons to be more prone to humanitarian abuse and violence; leading them to submit to any kind of transaction without considering the legality, just to survive, giving advantage to criminals to profit from them, knowing that these hopeless people no longer have any option. Despite some actions from the members of ASEAN, it is believed that there are actually no sanctions being imposed directly on the Myanmar government, afraid that it might alter and risk commercial and even economic relations. 740

SOURCES:

BBC News. (2015, June 19). BBC. Retrieved August 21, 2015, from BBC News Website: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-12990563

BBC News. (2015, June 10). BBC. Retrieved August 21, 2015, from BBC News Website: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33007536

Islam, N. (2006, October 5). Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO). Retrieved August 21, 2015, from ARNO: http://www.rohingya.org/portal/index.php/learn-about-rohingya.html

Rappler. (2015, May 27). RapplerIQ Newsbreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015, from Rappler.com: http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/93786-fast-facts-rohingya

The Guardian. (2015, June 14). The Guardian. Retrieved August 21, 2015, from The Guardian Website: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/14/un-concern-at-bangladesh-plan-to-move-thousands-of-rohingya-to-flooded-island

Yahya, H. (2014, December 1). Defeaning silence over Rohingya Issue. Retrieved August 21, 2015, from Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO): http://www.rohingya.org/portal/index.php/scholars/68-harun-yahya-/1096-deafening-silence-over-rohingya-issue.html

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Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement

Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement

by Daniel Orin Levi Alatraca

Brief Background

                The Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) is an economic partnership agreement concerning bilateral investment and free trade agreement between Japan and the Philippines. It was signed by former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and former Filipino President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Helsinki, Finland on September 9, 2006.

                JPEPA is a comprehensive bilateral trade and investment agreement between Japan and the Philippines aimed at increasing trade and investment opportunities between the two economies. It is the first bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) for the Philippines after 50 years. Other than the Philippines, Japan signed Free Trade Agreements with other economies (Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Brunei) and is on various phases of FTA negotiations with three other economies (South Korea, Vietnam, and India).

Trade and Investment with Japan

Japan is the second largest trading partner of the Philippines next to the US. The leading Philippine exports to Japan consist of electronic products, woodcraft furniture, and ignition wiring sets, fresh bananas, and iron ores. Our exports to Japan are asparagus, bananas, papayas, nata de coco, mangoes, chicken, shrimps and prawns, and yellowfin tuna. The leading Philippine imports from Japan consist of electronic products, industrial machinery and equipment, transport equipment, iron and steel and electrical machinery.

Japan is the Philippines’ largest source of foreign direct investments (FDI) in 2005, but slipped to third place behind the United States and Korea in 2006. Under JPEPA, the Philippines and Japan agreed to accord national treatment and most-favored-nation treatment to investors of each Party. This basically means that Japanese investors in the Philippines would be accorded the same privileges and rights as Filipino investors in economic sectors where they are allowed and vice-versa. Furthermore, Filipino nationals would be allowed to practice their profession in Japan subject to certain conditions. The list of professions included are: legal services, accounting and taxation services, architectural and engineering services, computer-related services, advertising and management consulting services, translation and interpretation services, services incidental to agriculture, Audio-visual services, higher education services, tourism and travel services, entertainment services (theatre, live bands), and maritime transport services.

Issues

                One of the main concerns regarding JPEPA is the possibility of having Japan export their waste products and hazardous materials to the Philippines. Such products are included in Article 29 of the agreement, which defines "originating goods”. Under Article 18 of the agreement, both Japan and the Philippines shall either "reduce or eliminate its customs duties," "eliminate other duties or charges of any kind imposed on or in connection with the importation," and take part in "improving market access conditions" for originating goods. JPEPA’s stipulations on the trade of goods and services also set tariff lines between the two countries. The agreement provisions also eases the market access of Philippine products to Japan, boasting that semi-conductors and electronics industry, automotive parts, furniture, and garments industry will benefit the most with the ratification of the agreement. Environmentalists also cry foul over this provision, stating that various laws are bound to be violated if the agreement pushes through.

Aside from local laws, one international treaty is also said to be a direct contradiction to the JPEPA. The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was ratified in 1989 by 133 countries and is currently adopted by 170 countries, including Japan and the Philippines. It is the most comprehensive global environmental treaty on hazardous and other wastes, addressing cleaner production, hazardous waste minimization and controls on the movement of these wastes.

References:

Agreement Between the Republic of the Philippines and Japan for an Economic Partnership. Full text of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement. The Daily PCIJ. Accessed on 15 April 2008. Retrieved from http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Japan-Philippines_Economic_Partnership_Agreement_(JPEPA). 24 August, 2015

Alecks P. Pabico (25 October 2006) JPEPA to encourage trade in hazardous and toxic waste. The Daily PCIJ. Accessed on 16 April 2008. Retrieved from http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Japan-Philippines_Economic_Partnership_Agreement_(JPEPA). 24 August, 2015

https://philforeignpolicy.wordpress.com/issues/

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Cebu City Sister-City Relations

Cebu City Sister-City Relations

by Dinah Joy Oro

The City of Cebu has been having sister-city relations with other cities for many years already. It has created relations with cities in the Philippines and international cities as well.  Sister city relations are formed to promote friendship among cities and to establish cultural and economic exchanges. This strengthens ties and encourages cooperation between and among cities.  This also lets Cebu City learn new and perhaps more effective means in improving the condition of the city and its people.

Within the country, Cebu City has signed sisterhood agreements with Manila City; Santa Josefa, Agusan del Sur; Calamba, Laguna; Burgos, Ilocos Sur; Angeles City, Pampanga; Tangub City, Misamis Occidental; Ormoc City; Talisay City; Lapu-Lapu City; Mandaue City, Palayan City, Toledo City and Laoag City.

For the international cities, the city has established relations with Haarlemmermeer, the Netherlands; Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; Yeosu City, South Korea; Xiamen, China; Honolulu City, USA; Chula Vista, California, USA; Paramata, Australia; Kitchener, Canada; Salinas City, California; Kortrijk, Belgium; Vladivostok, Russia; Barcelona, Spain; Brisbane, Australia; Rio de Janiero, Brazil; Yokohama, Japan; Sabrosa, Portugal; Thessaloniki, Greece.

Among the mentioned international sister-cities, six or seven of these are active. These cities include Haarlemmermeer, Yoesu City, Xiamen, Paramata, Kortrijk, Yokohama, and Sabrosa. The other cities are considered dormant. This is according to Ms. Sheida Henry, the Executive Assistant of Councilor Cuenco.

The most recent agreement that Cebu City has signed is with Thessaloniki, Greece. It is stated in its resolution that “The establishment of a sister city relationship with the government of Thessaloniki, Greece is favorable to the development of the city of Cebu in the launching of programs of cooperation that promotes contact and exchange of experiences, good practice measures and information by both parties”. It is also said in the agreement that “both parties will strive to the utmost to develop their mutual potential, with the aim of achieving greater, effective, egalitarian, and mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Also last April 2015, the city government of Cebu and the city of Yokohama, Japan renewed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which expired on March 2015. The MOA is effective for another three years, March 2015 to March 2018. This renews the Technical Cooperation for Sustainable Development in which the parties executed a city-to-city cooperation wherein Yokohama City shall provide advice for promoting the eco-city development of Cebu City.

Hopefully, these sister-city relations that Cebu City has will truly flourish. These collaborations would help in the development and success of all the parties involved. Cities with different backgrounds and cultures would be able to understand, learn, and support each other.

To get more information on the sister-city relations of Cebu City, one can communicate with the office of Councilor James Anthony Cuenco who is the chairman of the Cebu City council’s committee on tourism, local and international relations, and arts and culture. Another way is through the Sister City Commission under former congressman Tony Cuenco. Their offices are located at the Cebu City Hall. 

INTERNATIONAL SISTER CITIES:

1. Haarlemmermeer, The Netherlands
·         Resolution No. 1706
·         Resolution 995 (December 2, 1992)
2. Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
·         Resolution No. 229 (February 6, 1969)
3. Yeosu City, South Korea
·         Resolution No. 652 (October 23, 1996)
4. Xiamen, China
·         Resolution No. 914 (April 1983)
5. Honolulu City, United States of America
·         (May 12, 2008)
6. Chula Vista, California, United States of America
·         Resolution No. 00-3325
7. Seattle City, Washington, United States of America
·         Resolution No. 110
8. Paramata, Australia
·         Resolution No. 3295
9. Kitchener, Canada
·         Resolution No. 2203
·         Resolution No. 2164
10. Salinas City, California
·         Resolution No. 1213 (June 24, 1991)
·         Resolution No. 287 (May 1997)
 11. Kortrijk, Belgium
·         Letter of Partnership
Signed on May 17, 2005
12. Vladivostok, Russia
·         Resolution No. 174
·         Resolution 713 (September 6 1995)
13. Barcelona, Spain
·         Agreement of Friendship and Cooperation
·         (November 6, 2008)
14. Brisbane, Australia
·         Protocol of Intent
·         Resolution No. 1111
15. Rio de Janiero, Brazil
·         Protocol of Intent
·         Resolution No. 738
16. Yokohama, Japan
·         (March 2015)
17. Sabrosa, Portugal
·         Sister-City Agreement
(October 2, 2014)
18. Thessaloniki, Greece

(Source: Ms. Sheida Henry, SP Cuenco’s Office, Cebu City Hall, Cebu City)

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