by Argyll Cyrus Geducos
As he highlighted the different tasks of ambassadors, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. encouraged the country’s newly appointed and confirmed envoys to make the Philippines’ position on all aspects to the rest of the world, especially amid present challenges.
Marcos said this during his meeting with newly appointed and confirmed Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Malacañang on December 1.
In his speech, the President said the ambassadors are now on a “different kind of mission” as they advance the interest of the Philippines, particularly as the world grapples with multiple challenges, including moving out of the pandemic.
“You no longer are concerned solely with the diplomatic contact and the diplomatic exchanges. We are no longer limited by distance, by geographical and physical positioning,” he said.
“We look to our envoys to be able to achieve to– one, consistently make known to all our friends, all our own partners, the position of the Philippines on all the aspects of the world discussion that we are all part of,” he added.
According to the President, the country’s envoys must continuously talk to people, corporations, and entities and look for opportunities and programs that could benefit the Philippines.
For instance, Marcos said they have to look for ideas and partnerships with other countries offering assistance on climate change and other things that can be helpful to the Philippines.
“That probably is the newest feature of an envoy’s duties. It is a new world out there; we must adjust,” he said.
“I believe that for the Philippines, for the national interest, that this is the way to adjust,” he added.
The President also pointed out that the country benefits from a government-to-government level of negotiation and mediating with the private sector in terms of investment tie-up with foreign investors.
Marcos said Filipino ambassadors must keep these things in mind so the country can maximize its resources and partnerships to manage the economy effectively. He added that this would help Filipinos have a better life as the nation slowly emerges from all of its present challenges.
