N Hangana: Philippines Independence Day

12 June 2006

Chairperson,
The Ambassador,
Esteemed Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like to thank the Philippine Embassy for inviting me to participate
in this event, which is of significance to the Filipino nation and the world at
large.

On behalf of the South African Government, I convey the warmest greetings to
all of you on this important day in the Philippine’s calendar, the Independence
Day.

The Philippines have enjoyed independence since 1946, decades back, however,
that should not be an excuse to overlook the importance of this day.

The celebration of Independence Day is no ordinary celebration, but it’s a
day on which all Filipino society must pause and reflect on the past, to
remember their heroes and heroines who brought them freedom, those whose
sacrifices made it possible for all of them to enjoy the benefits of democracy
and for them to prosper in conditions of peace and stability.

As the Philippines are in celebration of their independence, there is a need
for each Filipino to ask them whether they are using all the opportunities
brought by freedom and democracy to prepare for a better future.

The South African Government has created good diplomatic relations with the
Philippines Government since 1994, which has resulted in the establishment of
its Embassy by the Philippines government after the inauguration of our first
democratically elected President, Mr. Nelson Mandela, and here in Pretoria in
1994.

Since then there was no turning back, hence the South African Government
realised the necessity of having our offices in the Philippines. Our Embassy
has just been established in Manila in 2005 and took occupation of the Chancery
on 15 July 2005 to ensure effective communication between the two
governments.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Philippines’ active support of the struggle against apartheid has never
gone by unnoticed. As the founding member of the United Nations (UN), the
Philippines’ support against apartheid had seen the birth of a “Special
Committee Against Apartheid” (SCAA) established pursuant to UNGA Resolution
1761 (XVII) of 6 November 1962. The Philippines consistently rejected and
condemned the racist policies of the apartheid regime in Pretoria and banned
all contact with South Africa. All Philippine passports were stamped with the
notation “not valid for travel to South Africa” as a tangible sign of
international solidarity against apartheid. The Philippines also consistently
advocated and supported the imposition of mandatory and comprehensive sanctions
against the apartheid regime under Chapter VII of the UN Charter as the most
effective and only peaceful means for creating an environment of change in
South Africa.

I would rightfully point out with confidence that, since our freedom and
democracy our bilateral relations could best be described as warm and cordial,
both on the bilateral and multilateral levels. Both countries are influential
in organisations of the South, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the
Group of 77 and China (G77). The Philippines will assume the Chair of the
Association of South East-Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 2006 and will host the
next ASEAN Summit, scheduled to take place on the island of Cebu in December
2006.

One of the high points in the development of the bilateral relationship was
the conclusion of the Philippines South Africa Trade Agreement in 1997 during
the visit of our former President, Mr Nelson Mandela. The Trade Agreement has
indeed strengthened our trade relations because as we speak now, in 2005 the
Philippines has exported goods that are of basic need to the South Africans
such as canned tuna, natural rubber, gearboxes of motor vehicles, cetyl and
stearyl alcohols and machinery for treating metals. Our relation is of mutual
concern; hence South Africans do also enjoy the opportunity to export goods to
the Philippines.

To mention but a few, our top exports to the Philippines are goods such as
manufactured tobacco, iron and steel products, ethyl alcohol, tires and wattle
extract. These should be regarded as a stepping stone for future great
cooperation still to come between our governments.

The two governments also have enjoyed several visits, just to mention a
few:

* Your former Vice President, Mr. Joseph Estrada at the inauguration
ceremony of our former President Nelson Mandela in April 1994

* Our former President Nelson Mandela to the Philippines from 1 to 3 March
1997 which led to the conclusion of the Trade Agreement as I had mentioned
earlier

* President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited South Africa twice when she was
still Vice-President. She co-chaired the October 2000 Global Summit of Women
2000 in Johannesburg. She also visited South Africa as Special Envoy of former
President Joseph Estrada to the inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki

* Former Minister of Minerals and Energy Phumzile Miambo-Nguka visited the
Philippines in September 2001

* A Philippine Ministerial Delegation participated in the Johannesburg World
Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002. Secretary Heherson Alvarez of
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Secretary Dante
Canlas of the National Development Authority (NEDA) headed the Delegation

* A Philippine delegation headed by Vice President and Secretary of Foreign
Affairs Teofisto T. Guingona Jr. participated in the April 2002 Non -Aligned
Ministerial Meeting that took place in Durban.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are all aware that there are challenges that governments across the world
need to address. Challenges such as poverty reduction, water and sanitation,
health facilities, it is not a challenge to South Africa only, but you will
agree with me today that it is a global challenge. Hence, it is of greatest
importance that such matters are tackled jointly at bilateral and or
multilateral level by governments. In that way governments will be enabled to
share exchange and develop new and better ways to ensure effective and
efficient delivery of basic services to its citizens.

Today as we celebrate Independence Day with the Philippines, we reiterate
our resolve to continue our warm and cordial relationship, which goes as far
back as during the pre-apartheid time.

To the Filipino nation, as you enjoy this magnificent day, do keep in mind
that there are many challenges which governments across the world are faced
with, however do commit yourselves to do whatever is possible, working together
to help to bring prosperity to your country and further ensure that all the
Filipinos share that prosperity.

To all of you gathered here today and all the Filipino nationals, wherever
they may be, I would like to wish you all a happy and peaceful Independence
Day.

I thank you
Issued by: Department of Local and Provincial Government
12 June 2006
Source: Department of Local and Provincial Government (http://www.dplg.gov.za)