Concurring in the Ratification of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation Between RP and Japan

March 14, 2011

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 036-11

RESOLUTION CONCURRING IN THE RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN

WHEREAS, the Constitution, Article VII, Section 21, states that, "No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate";

WHEREAS, the Agreement on Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Japan was signed on 4 April 2006 in Tokyo, Japan;

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the parties to the agreement to further strengthen the friendly relations existing between the two countries by the promotion of technical cooperation initiatives which are primarily aimed at developing human resources needed in ensuring economic progress and stability;

WHEREAS, the Agreement provides, among others, for the following:

(1) forms of technical cooperation that will be carried out by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) such as follows:

(a) technical training to Philippine nationals in Japan;

(b) dispatching experts to the Philippines; DHIETc

(c) dispatching Japanese missions to the Philippines to conduct surveys of economic and social development projects of the Republic of the Philippines;

(d) dispatching Japanese volunteers with a wide range of technical skills and abundant experience to the Philippines;

(e) providing the Government of the Philippines with equipment, machinery and materials; and

(f) providing the Government of the Philippines with other forms of technical cooperation as may be decided upon by mutual consent between the two Governments.

(2) exemption of Experts, members of the Missions, the Senior Volunteers and their families from certain taxes, fiscal charges, fees and other such privileges, exemptions and benefits as are no less favorable than those accorded to Experts, members of the Missions, Senior Volunteers and their families of any third country or of any international organization performing a similar mission in the Philippines;

(3) suitable office and other necessary facilities;

(4) provision of local staff and Philippine counterparts to the Experts, the Missions and the Senior Volunteers; and

(5) that the Republic of the Philippines shall bear claims against the Experts, members of the Missions, the Senior Volunteers and the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) resulting from or occurring in the course of the performance of their duties except arising from their gross negligence or willful misconduct. CHATcE

WHEREAS, the President of the Philippines ratified the Agreement on Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Japan and has, accordingly, submitted it to the Senate for concurrence;

WHEREAS, in the hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on 18 February 2011, the following agencies and organizations endorsed the concurrence in the ratification of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Japan:

(1) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA);

(2) Department of Justice (DOJ);

(3) Department of Finance (DOF);

(4) Department of Health (DOH);

(5) Department of Energy (DOE);

(6) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);

(7) Department of Science and Technology (DOST);

(8) Department of Agriculture (DA); ICDSca

(9) National Economic Development Authority (NEDA);

(10) Bureau of Customs (BOC);

(11) Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA);

(12) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); and

(13) Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS): Now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate of the Philippines concur, as it hereby concurs, in the ratification of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Japan. TIEHDC

Adopted,

(SGD.) JUAN PONCE ENRILEPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 14, 2011.

(SGD.) EMMA LIRIO-REYESSecretary of the Senate