In a few weeks from now, the Philippines will have a new President. The country has proven once more that democracy, respect for the people’s voices and empowerment are at work. As the new President, Rodrigo Duterte promises change for the Filipino people, the European Union remains hopeful and steadfast in its commitment to support the Philippine Government in hastening development and economic growth in the country.
With social justice high on the agenda of the incumbent President, the EU is predestined to remain a strong partner to the Philippines’ new government.
Energy, job creation and strengthening further the rule of law and the justice system are expected to resonate very strongly with the Duterte administration.
I have personally witnessed the positive gains in economic and development fronts in the Philippines when I first visited the country in the early 90s, as former desk officer for ASEAN. In my current post as Ambassador, I am even more confident that the EU and the Philippines can achieve its development objectives, including 90 percent household electrification in three or more years and both can collaborate further as partners for last mile connectivity.
Through the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP) the EU will provide financing to equip 100,000 households with sustainable access to modern energy services, increase renewable energy and improved energy efficiency.
As one of the most energy-deprived areas in the country, Mindanao will benefit strongly from such partnership.
In line with the goal of President Duterte in creating job opportunities, the EU cooperation will further extend its support to the ARMM region in Mindanao through a job creation programme which will help consolidate the peace building process.
The programme will particularly target out of school youth, ex-combatants and communities vulnerable in engaging in conflict. Support services including vocational training, cash for work initiatives for improving rural infrastructures, social services delivery will be put more in place for the disadvantaged sector. Farmers will be supported by way of capacity building schemes for their associations to better produce and access markets.
With reference to the Mindanao peace process, the EU will remain engaged in supporting the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) through conflict prevention activities and support to local processes.
In particular, the EU whose DNA is peace and economic and social development, will remain committed to sustain the current peace mechanisms that over the past years the Government and MILF Peace Panels have built strongly. Furthermore, the EU will provide assistance to expand the democratic space and support inclusion and leadership among youth and women in Bangsamoro.
To make the justice system more efficient, effective and accountable, the EU-supported “Governance in Justice” (GOJUST) project will support the development and implementation of a sector-wide long-term reform strategy.
True to the saying that justice delayed is justice denied, the project will endeavour to strengthen the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC); improve the criminal justice system; encourage investor confidence by decreasing the length of proceedings and increasing the conviction rate; and strengthen national capacity in demanding accountability from the system with a particular focus on addressing human rights violations.
In the area of trade and investments, the EU and the Philippines had the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement just a few weeks ago. The round took place in a good atmosphere to get clarity on respective approaches, ambitions and expectations in the different negotiating areas.
The round included meetings dedicated to trade in goods, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, services and investment, intellectual property rights (including geographical indications), competition, trade and sustainable development and dispute settlement.
This round of negotiations therefore augured well for the economic bilateral relationship. FTA could also mean more jobs and could hasten inclusive growth and development. I therefore remain optimistic that upcoming rounds of negotiations will continue to yield positive results under the new administration.
The Philippines has also been a beneficiary of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences-Plus arrangement which has provided duty-free access to the EU. In all my talks with the business sector,I have been emphasising this and I am hopeful that the upcoming administration will maximise the benefits of GSP+.
In 2015, the EU ranked as the Philippines’ fourth trading partner and is also the largest foreign investor in the Philippines. In the years to come I expect that our economic interaction will continue to grow and develop, with the Philippines benefitting from the EU’s advanced and large market, and the EU benefits from the expected rapid growth in the Philippines with it own population seeking to make a better future for themselves and the country.
Incoming President Duterte has a very large popular mandate, his agenda for change is very widely supported in the country. Through our political dialogue, our development assistance, our shared economic agenda and our regional cooperation, the EU is looking forward to working with the new administration. The European Union is one of the front liners in supporting the visions and aspirations of President Duterte especially those in consonance with the values and ideals of the European Union.