Recognizing the Unwavering and Steadfast Friendship between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea

November 5, 2019

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 18

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE IN RECOGNIZING THE UNWAVERING AND STEADFAST FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND COMMEMORATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR ROBUST BILATERAL RELATIONS

WHEREAS, the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea are celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries, which commenced on March 3, 1949;

WHEREAS, the bilateral relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea have been tested by history, and is a relationship "forged in blood," with more than 7,400 Filipino soldiers fighting alongside Republic of Korea troops during the Korean War;

WHEREAS, the bilateral relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea encompasses extensive cooperation in many fields, including trade and investments, infrastructure development, agriculture, tourism, scientific and technological cooperation, energy cooperation, rural development, health and sanitation, defense and security, disaster preparedness and climate change mitigation, and people-to-people exchanges;

WHEREAS, the total amount of trade between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea in 2018 has reached more than US$15 billion, making the Republic of Korea the Philippines' fourth largest trading partner;

WHEREAS, the Republic of Korea is an active participant in the Philippine Government's "Build Build Build" program, and in addition to the big Korean construction companies participating in the said program, major Korean manufacturing firms and around 1,600 small- and medium-scale Korean businesses in various areas such as the service industry, food and cosmetics, and research and development have invested in the Philippines to broaden their operations;

WHEREAS, the Republic of the Philippines acknowledges the significant participation of the Republic of Korea in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through the ASEAN-Republic of Korea dialogue relations, which is marking its 30th Anniversary this year with the holding of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit to be hosted by the Republic of Korea on November 25-26, 2019 in Busan, South Korea;

WHEREAS, the Republic of the Philippines hopes to elevate its bilateral relations with the Republic of Korea to that of a "Strategic Partnership," as both countries enter into a mature phase of higher commitments on mutually beneficial areas of cooperation from defense and security, education and health, as well as trade and investments: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, as it is hereby resolved by the Senate of the Philippines, To recognize the unwavering and steadfast friendship between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea and to commemorate the 70 years of robust bilateral relations between the two States as well as to express the People of the Philippines' sincere gratitude to the Korean people and their Government for their continuing contribution to the economic progress and development of the Republic of the Philippines and the ASEAN region.

Resolved, finally, That a copy of this Resolution be furnished the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines.

Adopted,

 

(SGD.) VICENTE C. SOTTO IIIPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on November 5, 2019.

 

(SGD.) MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICASecretary of the Senate