The document provides an overview of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), including its formation, headquarters, annual budget, key officials, functions, organizational structure, foreign policy pillars and priorities, past secretaries, and proposed 2013 budget. It details the DFA's role in pursuing the country's foreign policy and national interests domestically and abroad.

1. PRESENTED BY: MAR ICAR CALILIW
JOHNNY R AFOLS JR.
JEANNIFER VILLANUEVA

2. Formed June 22, 1906
Headquarters DFA Building, Roxas
Boulevard,
Pasay City
Annual Budget P 10.92 Billion (2012)
Department Executive Albert del Rosario, Secretary
Website www.dfa.gov.ph

3. The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
(Filipino: Ka g a wa ra n ng Ug na y a ng Pa nla ba s ) is the executive
department of the Philippine government tasked to contribute
to the enhancement of national security and the protection of
the territorial integrity and national sovereignty, to participate
in the national endeavour of sustaining development and
enhancing the Philippines' competitive edge, to protect the
rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas and to
mobilize them as partners in national development, to project
a positive image of the Philippines, and to increase
international understanding of Philippine culture for mutually-
beneficial relations with other countries.

4. Beginnings
The Department of Foreign Affairs was created on June
23, 1898 through a decree of Emilio Aguinaldo, who
appointed Apolinario Mabini as the Philippines’s first
Secretary of Foreign Affairs. In effect, the DFA became the
first government department to be established following the
proclamation of the First Philippine Republic in
Malolos City in Bulacan. Realizing the need for
international recognition to support the legitimacy of his
government.

5. Post-W Philippines
ar
The country regained full control of foreign affairs and
diplomatic matters on July 4, 1946, when Commonwealth
Act No. 732 was passed creating the Department of
Foreign Affairs. On September 16, President
Manuel Roxas issued Executive Order No. 18, which
provided for the organization and operation of the DFA and
the Foreign Service. The main tasks of the DFA then were
to assist in postwar rehabilitation, formulate policies for the
promotion of investment, and re-establish diplomatic
relations with neighboring countries.

6. Under Marcos
President Ferdinand Marcos redefined foreign policy as the
protection of Philippine independence, territorial integrity and
national dignity, and emphasized increased regional
cooperation and collaboration. He placed great stress on
being Asian and pursued a policy of constructive unity and
co-existence with other Asian states, regardless of ideological
persuasion.
Throughout the 1970s, the DFA pursued the promotion of
trade and investment, played an active role in hosting
international meetings, and participated in the meetings of the
Non-Aligned Movement. The Foreign Service Institute was

7. Post-EDSA 1986
The 1986 EDSA Revolution saw the re-establishment of a
democratic government under President Corazon Aquino.
During this period, the DFA once again pursued development
policy, in the active pursuit of opportunities abroad in the vital
areas of trade, investment, finance, technology and aid.
During this period, the Philippines became one of the founding
members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC in
November 1989, and an active player in regional efforts to
establish the ASEAN Free Trade Area. In 1990, the DFA
proposed the establishment of more diplomatic missions to the
Middle East to improve existing ties with Arab states and to
respond to the growing needs of Overseas Filipino Workers in

8. Under Fidel V. R amos
The Ramos administration from July 1992 to June 1998
defined four core areas of Philippine foreign policy: the
enhancement of national security, promotion of economic
diplomacy, protecting Overseas Filipino Workers and
Filipino nationals abroad, the projection of a good image of
the country abroad.
The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995
provided the framework for stronger protection of Filipino
workers abroad, with the creation of the Legal Assistance
Fund and the Assistance-to-Nationals Fund, and the
designation in the DFA of a Legal Assistant for Migrant

9. Estrada Administration
The Estrada administration upheld the foreign policy
thrusts of the previous administration, focusing on national
security, economic diplomacy, assistance to nationals, and
image-building. The Philippines continued to be at the
forefront of the regional and multilateral arena. It
successfully hosted the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July
1998 and undertook confidence-building measures with
China over South China Sea issue through a meeting in
March 1999.
The DFA also played a major role in the forging of a
Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, which

10. To advance the interests of the
Philippines and the Filipino people in
the world community.

11. THE DEPARTMENT OF FOR EIGN AFFAIRS is the prime
agency of government responsible for the pursuit of the
State's foreign policy and the nerve center for a Foreign
Service worthy of the trust and pride of every Filipino.
We are an organization of competent, dedicated and highly
motivated personnel, who devote their energies to the
benefit of the Filipino people.

12. We implement foreign policy with the highest
standards of professionalism and commitment.
We pursue bilateral, regional and multilateral relations
to advance the interest of the Philippines and the
Filipinos.
We build partnerships with national security and
development agencies, think-tanks and the academe,
the private sector, the media and civil society in the

13. We endeavor to promote regional and global cooperation in
order to achieve peace, prosperity and stability.
In the global arena, we work for social justice especially for
the poor, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and a
democratic way of life.
We are committed to secure a world free from serious
environmental degradation, transnational crime and
proliferation of nuclear weapons.

14. Our missions abroad are the partners of Filipinos
overseas in the pursuit of the national interest and
in the promotion and protection of their rights and
well-being.
We have highly responsive system, which ensures
effective delivery of services.
Our personnel are our greatest asset.

15. We are committed to the personal, professional
and career development of each employee.
In pursuit of our goals, we strive for and live by the
principles of excellence, integrity and patriotism.

16.  To contribute to the enhancement of
national security and the protection of the
territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
 To participate in the national endeavour to
sustain development and to enhance the
Philippines' competitive edge in a global
milieu.
 To project a positive image of the
Philippines;

17.  To increase international understanding of
Philippine culture for mutually-beneficial
relations with other countries; and,
 To increase and maximize human, financial,
technological and other resources to
optimize the performance of the
Department.

18. The m o s t im p o rta nt p ro vis io ns o f the 1 9 8 7 Philip p ine
Co ns titutio n whic h p e rta in to the fra m ing o f Philip p ine fo re ig n
p o lic y a re a s fo llo ws :
 Article II, Section 2: "The Philippines
renounces war as an instrument of national policy,
adopts the generally accepted principles of
international law as part of the law of the land and
adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice."

19.  Article II, Section 7: "The State shall pursue an
independent foreign policy. In its relations with other
states the paramount consideration shall be national
sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the
right to self-determination
 Republic Act No. 7157, otherwise known as "Philippine
Foreign Service Act of 1991", gives mandate to the
Department of Foreign Affairs to implement the three (3)
pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy.

20. The three (3) pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy
1. Preservation and enhancement of national
security
2. Promotion and attainment of economic security
3. Protection of the rights and promotion of the
welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas.
These pillars overlap and cannot be considered apart
from each other. Together with the eight (8) foreign
policy realities outlined by the President, they reinforce
each other and must be addressed as one whole.

21. These eight foreign policy realities are:
1.China, Japan and the United States and their
relationship will be a determining influence in the
security situation and economic evolution of East
Asia.
2.Philippine foreign policy decisions have to be
made in the context of ASEAN.

22. 3. The international Islamic community will
continue to be important for the Philippines.
4. The coming years will see the growing
importance of multilateral and inter-
regional organizations to promote common
interests.

23. 7. The Philippines can benefit most quickly from
international tourism.
8. Overseas Filipinos will continue to be
recognized for their critical role in the country's
economic and social stability.

24.  Apolinario Mabini (1898-1900)
 Claro M. Recto (1943-1945)
 Elpidio Quirino ( 1946-1948)
 Bernabe Africa ( 1948)
 Carlos P. Romulo (1950-1951)
 Joaquin M. Elizalde (1952-1953)

25.  Carlos P. Garcia (1953-1957)
 Felixberto M. Serrano ( 1957-1961)
 Emmanuel Pelaez ( 1961-1963)
 Salvador P. Lopez (1963-1964)
 Mauro B. Mendez (1964- 1965)
 Narciso Ramos (1966-1968)

26. Carlos Romulo (1969-1984) Arturo M. Tolentino (1984-1985)

27. Raul S. Manglapus (1987-1992)
Salvador H. Laurel (1986-1987)

28. Roberto R. Romulo (1992- Domingo Siazon Jr. ( 1995-
1995) 2001)

29. Teofisto T. Guingona Jr. (2001-2002) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2002)

30. Blas F. Ople (2002-
2003) Delia Domingo Albert (2003-2004)

31. Alberto G. Romulo ( 2004-
2011)

32. Albert del Rosario (2004-2012)

33. •Office of the Secretary
•Office of the Undersecretary for Administration
•Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relatio
•Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant & Workers Affairs
•Office of the Undersecretary for Policy
•Office of the Undersecretary for Special and Ocean Concerns
•


34. Office of the Secretary
• acts as the primary and principal adviser of the President
on matters relating to the formulation and execution of
Philippine foreign policies and the conduct of Philippine
foreign relations
• advises the President on the promulgation of executive
orders, rules, and regulations, proclamations and other
issuances relative to matters under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Foreign Affairs
• exercises supervision and control over all functions and
activities of the Department of Foreign Affairs and
supervises the administration and operation of the foreign
service establishments
• delegates authority for the performance of any function to
offices and employees of the Department.

35. Department Legislative Liaison Unit (DLLU)
Public Information Service Unit (PISU)
Communications and Management Informations Systems
Division (CMISD)
Office for Intelligence and Security Services (OISS)
Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Coordination
(OSPPC)
The following attached agencies are also under the direct
supervision of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs:
Foreign Service Institute (FSI)
Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (TCCP)
UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines
(UNACOM).

36. R. A. 7157, "Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991” an
Act amending R.A. 708 “Foreign Service Act of the
Philippines” provides for the appointment of the
Undersecretaries of the Department of Foreign
Affairs by the President upon recommendation of the
Secretary of DFA.
The act also defines the role of an Undersecretary of
the Department of Foreign Affairs as follows:
• Advise and assist the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in
the formulation and implementation of the
Department's objectives and policies and coordinate
and oversee the operational activities of the

37. Office of the Undersecretary for
Administration
The Office of the Undersecretary for
Administration aids the Secretary of
Foreign Affairs and provides him advice on
matters relating to the general operations
of the DFA, its regional offices and
Philippine Foreign Service Posts and all
other administrative matters and concerns.

38. The Office of the Undersecretary for Administration
oversees the operations of all administrative related
offices of the Department including the:
Office of Legal Affairs (OLA),
Office of Personnel and Administration Services (OPAS),
Office of Fiscal Management (OFM),
Office of Protocol and State Visits (OPSV) and;
Office of Consular Affairs (OCA).
The Undersecretary for Administration also chairs and
oversees the:
Board of Foreign Service Administration (BFSA),
Board of Foreign Service Examinations (BFSE),
Bids and Awards Committee (BAC),
and other related committees of the Department.

39. Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic
Relations
The Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic
Relations is principally in-charge with implementing and
coordinating the responsibilities and functions of the
Department of Foreign Affairs relating to:
trade and investments,
science and technology,
environment and sustainable development,
official development cooperation and,
other related economic/social concerns, particularly
those related to issues on women and youth vis-à-vis
other countries, in cooperation with all Philippine
government agencies concerned and the private sector.

40. Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant & Workers Affairs
Created by Republic Act No. 8042, or the Migrant Workers and
Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, the Office of the Undersecretary
for Migrant Workers Affairs
• aids the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and provides advice on
matters relating to the formulation and execution of Philippine
foreign policy relating to the protection of the dignity, fundamental
rights and freedoms of Filipino citizens abroad, while giving
particular attention to the protection and promotion of the welfare
and dignity of overseas Filipinos. It is the third pillar of Philippine
foreign policy and one of the highest priority concerns of the
Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Foreign Service
Posts.
OUMWA works in coordination with various sectors - elected
officials, other government agencies, OFWs and their families,
mass media, private organizations, international organizations,
NGOs and religious group - to deliver timely assistance to

41. Office of the Undersecretary for Policy
The Office of the Undersecretary for Policy
aids the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and
provides him advice on matters relating to
the formulation and execution of Philippine
foreign policy, particularly on bilateral,
regional and international political and
security issues.

42. Office of the Undersecretary for Special and Ocean Concerns
• aids the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and provides him
advice on matters relating to identified special issues and
concerns of the Department including the following:
Maritime and Ocean Concerns Territorial Concerns Counter
Terrorism
Overseas Absentee Voting Dual Citizenship Human
Rights Issues
Children in Armed Conflict Bid for Observer Status in the OIC
Peace Processes Task Force on the Sabah Issue
Coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
Under this office are the Office of Ocean Concerns, Maritime
and Ocean Affairs Secretariat, and the Overseas Absentee
Voting Secretariat.

44. BUDGET
Current budget Y2012 – P10.92B
Proposed budget for Y2013 – P11.64B
(increase of 6.6 % from Y2012 budget)
- includes a building fund of P428.29M
Presently, the DFA has 60 embassies, 20
consulate generals all over the world,
which mostly are leased in the amount of
P600 million yearly.