Report on the Official visit of
the Members of the Philippine Senate to Spain

23 June to 1 July 2007
Senator Edgardo J. Angara

Senators Franklin M. Drilon, Juan M. Flavier, Ramon Magsaysay and I made an official visit to Spain from June 23 to July 1 at the invitation of the Senate of Spain thru Jose Manuel Barquero, President of the Spanish-Philippine Friendship Group.

The first leg of the visit covered Sevilla in Andalusia, followed by a visit to the capital in Madrid, and to the Basque country.

Among the major accomplishments of the trip include a landmark cooperation agreement between the Philippine Senate and the Spanish Senate - agreeing to organize parliamentary encounters to discuss topics of mutual interest, especially those related to peace, human rights, security, terrorism, poverty alleviation, the promotion of sports, arts and culture and tourism and infrastructures as vectors for economic development.

This is the first time that an accord of this kind was signed by the two Senates of both countries.

We also sought ways to expand trade and investments between our two countries with their top trade and tourism officials. Moreover, cooperation in the areas of language, culture, history, sports and academic exchange were discussed extensively with various institutions. Their commitment and interest are indeed very encouraging.

Below is an official report of our meetings with key officials of various institutions, and the commitments from both Spain and the Philippines for further cooperation.

VISIT TO SEVILLA

Meeting with the Confederation of Businessmen of Andalusia (CEA)

CEA is an association of more than 700 companies in Andalusia, ranging from small- and medium-size companies to multinational corporations.

We met with the leading members of the Confederation of Businessmen of Andalusia (CEA) headed by Mr. Ramon Contreras Ramos, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of CEA. MAPFRE, a major Spanish insurance firm operating in the Philippines was also represented.

We discussed ways to increase bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the areas of agriculture and tourism. We also invited them to send a mission to the Philippines to look at business opportunities. Likewise, they extended an invitation to the Philippines to participate in the annual "Feria de Sevilla", held every April.

Meeting with Sevilla Mayor Alfredo Sanchez Montesseirin

Mayor Sanchez of Sevilla expressed his willingness to support the regional government (Junta) of Andalusia in carrying out projects with the Philippines. He also underscored the historical and cultural links between the Philippines and Andalusia, most especially Sevilla, and the vast business prospects available to both sides.

I proposed that the following projects, which will need the support of the city government of Sevilla, be given priority:

1. Sevilla Global, the development corporation of the City of Sevilla, is finalizing a cooperation agreement with the Philippine Embassy in Madrid to implement development projects in the Philippines, particularly in my home province Aurora

2. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) had already signed an academic exchange agreement with the Universidad Pablo Olavide in Sevilla

3. The Andalusian Football Federation through the CEDIFA (Centro de Estudios y Desarollo de Futbol Andaluz) has been conducting football clinics and seminars for Filipino coaches and players for the past three years. Financial and technical support from the Andalusian government and institutions is needed to ensure the program's continuation.

Meeting with the Andalusian Parliament

The Philippine Senate Delegation was received by Mr. Matias Conde, Vice President of the Andalusian Parliament. Renewable energy and fisheries were given focus during our meeting. Mr. Conde, who is himself a fishery expert, even invited me to a future visit to his home province of Huelva to observe the fishery and marine industry.

Meeting with FEDEJEREZ

FEDEJEREZ is the association of local brandy producers of Jerez, led by Mr. Bosco Torremocha. The FEDEJEREZ officials briefed us on the Philippine brandy market, their difficulty due to the increased excise tax rate and what they perceive as discrimination against imported spirits in the Philippines.

We assured them that we in the Philippine Senate will look into the case, and suggested that the FEDEJEREZ make a representation as well with DTI to clarify their case. They will send a delegation to the Philippines in September or October to make a representation on the case.

VISIT TO MADRID

Meeting with Members of the Philippine-Spanish Parliamentary Friendship Group

A landmark cooperation agreement which will enhance the relationship between the Senate of Spain and of the Philippines was signed by Senator Jose Manuel Barquero and myself, as heads of delegation and representing the Senates of both countries.

Through this agreement, we will promote the pursuit of projects - research, education and Spanish language, among others - as well as assistance in facilitating the passage of legislation. The Spanish Senators sought our help in the early ratification of the Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons signed last May 18. In turn, they offered support to the Philippines for our country to become an observer in the Iberoamerican Parliamentary Forum and the Council of Europe.

Senator Jose Manuel Barquero of Alava led our Spanish counterparts, composed of Senator Jordi Guillot (Barcelona), Senator Ramon Companys (Lerida), and Senator Julian Gutierrez (Palencia). The head of the legal division of the Spanish Congress, Maria Teresa Gonzales Escudero also joined the Spanish senators.

We had a fruitful discussion of our respective institutions. We gained valuable insights from their explanation of the evolution of the Spanish political system since 1975, the end of the dictatorial regime in Spain, as well as the current territorial and autonomous set-up in Spain.

When Spain, after the death of Francisco Franco, gave genuine autonomy to each of its provinces, the country boomed spectacularly. It is now one of the most prosperous members of the European Union, with tourism as a key driver of the economy. Genuine autonomy enabled local leaders to discover their creativity and maximize available resources.

On our part, we shared the Philippine experience with the presidential form of government, as well as the efforts to amend the constitution. The Spanish senators expressed interest in the amendment of policies on foreign investment and ownership of business in the Philippines, which they believe will increase foreign, especially Spanish, investment in the Philippines if restriction on foreign ownership of business is relaxed.

Meeting with Minister Joan Clos Matheu of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Tourism was identified as an area of priority for cooperation. The success of Spain in tourism is something the Philippines can learn from. We also focused on the need to increase trade and investment between the two countries.

Minister Clos and Tourism Secretary of State Amparo Fernandez promised to provide information and contacts to major tour operators in Spain to help promote the Philippines as a tourist destination in Asia. They suggested that the Philippines host a seminar in Spain for tour operators and agents to promote the major tourism spots in the country.

Meeting with Speaker Manuel Marin and Deputy First Speaker Carme Chacon

We were received by Speaker Manuel Marin at the Congreso de Diputados, who accompanied us to the Session Hall.

We exchanged views with Deputy First Speaker Chacon on the Philippine and Spanish political system and elections during a lunch hosted by the Congreso in our honor.

The Philippine Senate Delegation was invited to observe the plenary session of the Congreso in the afternoon. Speaker Marin recognized the presence of the Philippine senators in the gallery.

Meeting with Jose Luis Astiazaran Iriondo, President of the National Professional Football League of Spain

There is a growing interest in football in the Philippines and, consequently, the need to tap Spanish technical and financial assistance to promote the sport. We sought the help of Mr. Astiarazan on this, and he in turn committed to assist the Philippines by taking up the matter with the Consejor Superios de Deporte (Spanish Sports Commission) so that a formal agreement on sports cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission could be signed during PGMA's visit in December.

Meeting at Instituto Cervantes

There is an increasing number of Filipinos studying the Spanish language in Instituto Cervantes Manila, but there is still a lot that could be done to improve facilities and teaching technologies, and to train more teachers. I proposed that Instituto Cervantes set up branches in Cebu, Zamboanga and other parts of the country whose local dialects allow natural facility in learning the Spanish language.

We were received by Mr. Joaquin de la Infiesta, Secretary General of Instituto Cervantes, who briefed us on the activities of IC in general and the Philippines in particular.

He noted that there is indeed a surge in enrolment of Filipinos learning Spanish. He however cited the budget limitation as an impediment for setting up new branches outside Manila, but added that collaboration with universities or institutions in other parts of the Philippines could be explored.

Meeting with Rector Virgilio Zapatero, President of the Universidad de Alcala

Universidad de Alcala will establish a chair on Philippine Studies to be occupied by Ma. Dolores Elizalde, an expert on the Philippines from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC).

Universidad de Alcala signed an academic exchange agreement with five Philippine universities, namely UP, ADMU, UST, UA&P and ASCOT during the 2nd Tribuna Espana-Filipinas in November last year. Rector Zapatero proposed to host a meeting between the presidents of these Philippine universities and interested Spanish universities to foster greater academic exchange.

During the meeting, Rector Zapatero said the University is offering 30 scholarships to Filipino students and teachers this coming school year. Applications through my Office are ongoing, in coordination with Prof. Maite del Val, Head of International Affairs.

Finally, Rector Zapatero announced that the University will award PGMA in December the "medalla de oro" for the abolition of death penalty in the Philippines.

VISIT TO THE BASQUE COUNTRY

Meeting with President Juan Jose Ibarretxe of the Basque Autonomous Government

We met with President Ibarretxe at his official residence in Vitoria, the administrative capital of the Basque country, and talked about the significant influence and contribution of the Basques in the Philippines.

Centuries before our countrymen spread out to the various parts of the globe to work and seek economic advancement, the Basques were already at it, spreading out into other lands and influencing other nations.

Some of the most dominant families in Philippine business are of Basque origin. Offhand, I can name three: the Ayalas, the Aboitizes and the Elizaldes. The University of the Nevada press published one book devoted entirely to this topic, "Basques in the Philippines" by Marciano de Borja. Senator Drilon talked about the contribution of the Basques in the development of the sugar industry in Region VI and the port of Iloilo as a trading center in western Visayas.

An increase in trade and investment between the Philippines and the Basque Country is expected from our visit and the visit of PGMA in December.

Meeting with President Izaskun Bilbao Barandica of the Basque Parliament

President Izaskun Bilbao briefed us on the autonomous system of the Basque region, and expressed her support of the initiatives that will enhance the relations between the Philippines and the Basque country.

On the area of educational exchange, we discussed the recent signing of an academic exchange agreement between the University of the Basque Country and Philippine universities such as Ateneo de Manila Univeristy and three universities in Nueva Vizcaya (NVSU, SMU and Aldersgate College).

The Spanish senators promised to look into the availability of the Erasmus scholarship program for students from the Philippines.

Meeting with Director Alfredo Piris of Ensanche XXI

Ensanche XXI is the urban planning corporation of the city of Vitoria. Director Alfredo Piris briefed us on the current urban development projects in Vitoria. Vitoria is the most livable city in Spain and is also among the top ten cities in Europe in terms of quality of life. We were given a tour of the two new development and housing projects in the southern part of the city.

I invited the officials of Ensanche XXI to send experts to the Philippines to conduct seminars and training on urban planning and development at the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP-SURP).

We also visited one of the nine civic centers "Centro Civico", a multipurpose civic and sports center which provides administrative, leisure, practical arts (cooking, painting, computer lessons) and physical education services to residents of the area.

Visit to Zumarraga and Ordizia

The Basque country is also the home region of two iconic names in Philippine history - Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fray Andres de Urdaneta. We visited their hometowns in Zumarraga and Ordizia, respectively.

In Zumarraga, Mayor Anton Arbulu received us, and accompanied us to Legazpi's ancestral house, and the Ermita de la Antigua. Zumarraga has a twinning agreement with Tagbilaran City and Legazpi City.

In Ordizia, we were welcomed by newly elected Mayor Jose Miguel Santamaria. We talked about the historical links between Ordizia and the Philippines through Fray Andres de Urdaneta, whose name we still use (i.e., Urdaneta City, Urdaneta Village). Mayor Santamaria mentioned that the main street leading to the town is called Calle Filipinas, and that during the feast of Santa Ana in February, all the women wear the "manton de Manila."

The celebration of the 500th year anniversary of Urdaneta should be a good opportunity to foster the relationship between Ordizia and the Philippines. Mayor Santamaria is interested in signing a twinning agreement with Urdaneta City, and hinted that they would visit the Philippines next year as part of the celebration of the 500th year anniversary of the birth of Fray Urdaneta.

Meeting with Prof. Oscar Alvarez Gila, University of the Basque Country

At the premier University of the Basque Country, we met with Professor Oscar Alvarez Gila, an expert on the Basque diasporas in Latin America. His university's History department, he told us, is now developing a core of young academics with specialization on Philippine Studies.

I proposed that they send these young professors to UP to specialize on Philippine studies. We hope to encourage more extensive study on the presence and contribution of the Basques in the Philippines.

For the Senate's information and appropriate action.

EDGARDO J. ANGARA
Senator