Appropriation of Funds for First Asian Foreign Service Course

June 17, 1967

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4912

AN ACT APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS FOR OPERATIONAL AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES OF THE FIRST ASIAN FOREIGN SERVICE COURSE TO BE HELD IN MANILA AND BAGUIO, PHILIPPINES, FROM AUGUST 4, 1967 TO SEPTEMBER 29, 1967, UNDER THE JOINT AUSPICES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE EASTERN REGIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (EROPA)

SECTION 1. It is the national policy to promote and encourage better relations among countries in the Asian region. The Philippines has taken a leadership role in promoting friendly relations.

The Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA) is a semi-governmental regional organization for the promotion of better systems and practices of governmental administration and has been active in promoting such working relations for the promotion of good government as a vehicle for the economic and social development of the region. The Philippines is a charter member of EROPA. The other state members are Australia, Republic of China, Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand and the Republic of Vietnam. The headquarters of the organization are located in Manila.

Upon the recommendation of the Executive Council and the General Assembly of EROPA as its meeting in December, 1966, in Tehran, Iran, the Philippines was chosen as the site of First Asian Foreign Service Course. aisa dc

The Philippine Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs has accepted the honor conferred on it by the EROPA Fourth General Assembly as the site selected for the holding of the course.

Participants to the course will be senior foreign service officers of some experience from the ministries of foreign affairs of the governments of the countries in the EROPA region, to study and analyze selected problems of foreign relations, with a view of attaining a deeper understanding of Asian affairs and the position of Asia in a community of nations, to provide the opportunity for improving knowledge and skills required by modern diplomacy and for broadening the outlook of foreign relations with a sense of development and to promote understanding among participants.

On the basis of the experience gained in the conducting of the course, it is expected that a center for diplomatic training among countries in Asia will be established.

The First Asian Foreign Service Course will be held in Manila and Baguio from August 4 to September 29, 1967. The Civil Service Commission has accepted the responsibility of providing the leadership for the conduct of the course, together with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Course will be held under the joint auspices of the Philippine Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the EROPA. The Civil Service Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs will provide secretarial and other expert technical facilities.

SECTION 2. The sum of two hundred thousand pesos is appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the operational and incidental expenses of the First Asian Foreign Service Course to be held in Manila and Baguio, Philippines, from the fourth day of August to the twenty-ninth day of September, nineteen hundred and sixty-seven, under the joint auspices of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA). cdt

SECTION 3. The Department of Foreign Affairs may, for the purpose of this Act, obtain the services of professional or technical personnel from abroad or from any agency or the Philippine Government as well as from the private sectors to provide instruction, perform research, and undertake such other activities as may be necessary. Such personnel will be given honoraria at rates fixed by the Organizing Committee of the First Asian Foreign Service Course.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 17, 1967

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 65, No. 7, p. 1534 on February 17, 1969