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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s UK visit a success
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visit
to the The President arrived in the UK at 5:00 am on January 28, accompanied by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and a team of government officials which included Secretary of Energy Vicente Perez Jr., Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Lauro Baja Jr., Senior Presidential Assistant for International Competitiveness Roberto Romulo, and Presidential Spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao. The President and her official party were welcomed at London Heathrow airport's Royal Suite by John Garner, representative of Britain's Secretaryof State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, British Ambassador to thePhilippines Allan Collins, Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Cesar B. Bautista and officers of the Philippine Embassy, and the London Heads of Mission of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The UK was her first destination in the course of an eight-day three-country official trip which also took her to Canada and the United States, where she was scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum in New York City on February 1. In London, she spoke before the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) and at a commercial seminar attended by more than a hundred British and Filipino businessmen; called on Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street for a meeting of heads of government; graced a luncheon tendered in her honor by the Lord Mayor of London and a dinner at Lancaster House hosted by Her Majesty’s Government with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott present; attended an Inter-Faith Service for Peace at the Westminster Cathedral where she was met by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and more than a thousand of her countrymen who came from all over the UK; received former Prime Minister now Baroness Margaret Thatcher; witnessed the signing of a commercial agreement; and was interviewed by the Financial Times of London. "Securing the future by winning the peace" The President’s first engagement in London was at the prestigious International Institute of Strategic Studies, regarded as one of the world’s leading think tanks, where she delivered a lecture entitled "Securing the Future by Winning the Peace". In her presentation, the President discussed the "horror and the tragedy" of the events of September 11, and expressed her determination to put the Philippines staunchly on the side of the international coalition against global terrorism. She stressed the fact that her country was no stranger to this growing danger: "Long before September 11, the Philippines fought terrorism on its soil and gained the upper hand, isolating terrorist insurgents to a few small islands. We have felt the pain of terrorism first hand and knew it must not spread to the rest of the world. That is why we were the first in Asia to lend our support." However, she said that terrorism cannot be completely ended through a military victory, because it feeds on the poverty of peoples and nations, and that "a new kind of war requires a new kind of peace…we will eliminate terrorism and we must eliminate poverty, (for) if we do not, the breeding ground of resentment will begin again to plague another generation." Anticipating the discussion she was going to have with British Prime Minister Tony Blair later in the day, the President commended the course taken by the United Kingdom, and applauded the British government "for seeking to turn the power of the global anti-terror campaign into a force for global prosperity." Talking peace at 10 Downing Street Accompanied by Presidential Assistant Roberto Romulo, DFA Undersecretary Baja, and Ambassador Cesar B. Bautista, the President called on Prime Minister Blair at 10 Downing Street after her speech at the IISS. Among the topics they discussed were the campaign against terrorism, and peace initiatives. Emerging from her 30-minute meeting with the British leader, President Macapagal-Arroyo told reporters waiting outside Downing Street that Prime Minister Tony Blair hinted he would follow through on the initiatives she has undertaken in setting up inter-faith dialogue as one of the measures designed to avoid religious conflict that breeds terrorism. The President said the Prime Minister even emphasized the need to internationalize such dialogues to prevent a clash between religions. She said she welcomed the idea of getting various religious sects all over the world together, noting that "that would also in fact enhance our own inter-faith dialogue in the Philippines." It will be recalled that immediately after the September 11 attacks on the United States last year, the President called on various religious sects in the Philippines to a meeting to ensure unity and prevent clashes between Muslims and Christians. The move was designed to assure the Muslims in the Philippines that government efforts to support the fight against terrorism was not directed against Islam. Realizing that they share a common stance, the two leaders agreed, in
principle, to extend assistance to each other, in building their capability to
combat transnational crimes. The first among these efforts is the agreement that
has been worked out for Scotland Yard to train the Philippine National Police
(PNP) in fighting transnational crimes, including kidnapping. It will be
recalled that the kidnapping activities of the Abu Sayyaf has crossed national
boundaries, particularly when it brought to the Philippines the kidnap victims
it abducted from the Sipadan Resort in Malaysia. Prospects for RP-UK commercial ties brighter The President’s presentation later in the afternoon to a packed audience of about 150 British and Filipino businessmen drew praises from several quarters. Speaking on expanded trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines, a country which has experienced increased economic growth despite the economic difficulties besetting the region and the rest of the world, she invited British investors to consider the Philippines for its economic fundamentals and continuing political stability. The President also noted in her briefing that her administration has undertaken economic reforms that have resulted in a much-improved fiscal outlook and have allowed the Philippines to achieve good macro-economic objectives. After hearing President Macapagal-Arroyo's report on the Philippines' economic health, the head of the Asia-Pacific Advisers to British Trade International predicted a significant increase in investments and trade between the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Sir Anthony Cleaver said the President's trade and investment briefing – particularly her discussion on the state of the Philippine economy and the measures the government has taken to boost economic growth – may convince more British investors to infuse capital and increase the level of trade with the Philippines. Ambassador Cesar Bautista said that the increase in investments from the UK to the Philippines could reach all the way up to $3 billion this year and next year. "The UK will remain to be the biggest investor in the Philippines for this year and for the coming year," Bautista said, citing the forecast of experts who have been involved in negotiations between the two countries’ private sectors. While the agreements between these private parties have yet to be formally signed, Bautista explained that the formal documents would come later, stressing that "many of them (British investors) were very keen on investing in the Philippines." He said that apart from the $800 million increase in investments from UK last year, he expected another $2 billion or $3 billion. "That is the kind of interest we have seen so far between British and Philippine business," he said. The UK is the Philippines’ biggest trading partner in Europe and the 11th in the entire world, according to 2000 statistics. It is also the seventh largest export market for the Philippines with a share of 3.96 percent of total Philippine exports to the world. It is also the 17th source for Philippine imports, accounting for 1.13 percent of the total imports of US $31,386 million.
In praise of the Overseas Filipino Worker and Investor But easily the most visibly impressive and touching part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit to London was the reception she got from the Filipino community at the Westminster Cathedral. The Inter-Faith Service for Peace was supposed to start at 3 p.m. on that Monday, yet by noontime groups of Filipinos had begun gathering on the piazza outside the imposing red-brick cathedral in Victoria, London. As the hour drew near, hundreds started streaming into the church, filling up the pews and lining the middle aisle all the way from door to the foot of the altar, in anticipation of the President’s arrival. There were delegations of uniformed Filipino nurses from several hospitals in and outside London, employees of the Royal Mail service, a number of Filipino seamen, officers and members of various Filipino community organizations, ordinary members of the community who had brought along family and friends. By the time the President and her entourage entered at a little past three, the church was more than filled to capacity, with many more standing at the back to catch a glimpse of her and to take part in the solemn service which was not a Catholic mass at all, but a gathering of several faiths, during which religious representatives delivered their own messages of peace for the Philippines and for the world. Represented in this most solemn part of the ceremonies were the Catholics, the Anglicans, the Methodists, the Jews, the Muslims, the Buddhists, and the Hindus. A prayer for peace was read by a representative of the Filipino community in the United Kingdom. And then it was time for the President to speak. Deviating for the most part from her prepared speech, the President warmed up to the enthusiastic audience as she told them about her government’s efforts to work for peace in the Philippines and in the world, and about the gratitude that all Filipinos bear towards the Overseas Filipino Workers for their invaluable contribution to their native land. She hailed the Filipino workers in the United Kingdom for bringing pride and honor to the country through their ability to do a good job in their workplace. "You are not only ambassadors of the Philippines in different countries like here in England. Your exemplary skills convey the picture of the Philippines," the President told the Filipino expatriates. She stressed that wherever Filipino workers go, they always show
extraordinary skills in the workplace and a resilience that allows them to adapt
easily to the culture of other countries.
The President said that the contribution of the OFWs to their country is far bigger than the US$5 billion Shell investment at the Malampaya offshore gas project, the biggest single foreign investment in the Philippines. "In your case, you are sending US$7 billion every year that’s why you must be making a Malampaya project for your country every year," the President said, to the cheer of the huge Filipino audience. She pointed out that it is for this reason that the Filipino workers abroad should not only be called OFWs but also overseas Filipino investors because of the US$7 billion that they are infusing into the country’s economy. According to the President, the money that the Filipino workers send to their country provides capitalization for and investment in their respective communities. In recognition of the sacrifices and contributions of millions of overseas Filipinos, the President said that the Philippine Congress is now deliberating on the twin measures that have long been fought for by them, namely, dual citizenship and absentee voting rights, both of which she said had a fair chance of being acted upon favorably in the very near future. After the service, the President was mobbed by her "Kababayan," some of them even inviting her to visit their homes here in London. It was a while before she could exit the church, as the ushers and marshals could not keep back the throng from getting to her and surrounding her, for even the briefest handshake or a fleeting close-up look.
The President’s visit: an assessment by witnesses Twenty-nine hours was all the time President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had to spare for an official visit to the United Kingdom. And that was all the time she needed to seal the UK’s commitment to pursue avenues for greater trade with the Philippines and to give the Britons a lasting impression of her country. Speaking at a late-night press conference, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines Alan Collins described the visit as "extremely useful to both sides," noting how this further strengthened the diplomatic and economic ties between London and Manila. "The President’s visit has been extremely useful to both sides, and has taken yet further forward, the close ties between two English speaking democracies," the UK envoy said. "It is clear (from the President’s visit) that the flourishing political and economic partnerships between Manila and London is set to continue and grow yet stronger in the future," he added. Collins said both the UK and the Philippines "achieved the political and
economic objectives of the visit," noting that President Macapagal-Arroyo’s
trip was on the invitation of the British government. Both Ambassador Collins
and his counterpart, Philippine Ambassador to the UK Cesar Bautista cited the
importance of the meeting of the minds between British Prime Minister Tony Blair
and President Macapagal-Arroyo on the need to internationalize the efforts to
combat terrorism. He said that it was amazing how the President was able to squeeze in so many activities in her one-day visit to London.Summing up, Tiglao said the President delivered five major speeches and had seven important meetings, capped by her one-on-one with British Prime Minister Tony Blair where the two leaders discussed ways on how to fight global terrorism. According to Tiglao, the President was able to develop immediate rapport with Blair on the issue of global terrorism. Both the President and Blair agreed that there is a need to fight poverty in order to win the war against terrorism, Tiglao said. Blair also assured President Arroyo that the United Kingdom will work for the increase of the official development assistance or ODA from the developed nations to developing countries like the Philippines. He said that President Macapagal-Arroyo also had "a very animated and very friendly"conversation with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, noting that the scheduled 20-minute meeting lasted for 45 minutes. During their meeting, the President was like a student who got some timely pointers on governance from the former British leader, Tiglao said. Baroness Thatcher called on the President at her suite at the Dorchester Hotel. The former Prime Minister said the growing global population is a concern that can be addressed by providing the people with quality education. Baroness Thatcher also told President Arroyo: "We have to get the very best teachers, particularly in mathematics and science." She lamented that most of the world's problems are now being fought through wars, a manner that she described as "so uncivilized". The former British leader gifted the President with a copy of her book,"Margaret Thatcher: The Downing Street Years".
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gets
a warm welcome from Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street
The President gets a rousing welcome from the Filipino community
during the Inter-Faith Service for Peace at Westminster Cathedral
"We have seven million Filipinos all over the world, and you send our
country US$7 billion every year. That’s why the Philippines is thankful to all
of you," she said.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott
with the President at the formal dinner hosted by Her Majesty’s Government
Former Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher calls on the President at the Dorchester