KINGDOM of the Netherlands Ambassador Marion Derckx looks at the Philippines as a country that is just waiting to reach its full potential.
Speaking at the embassy, which presents a very good view of the Metro Manila landscape, Derckx comes across as both candid and charming in her views of the Philippines and the Filipino people.
“The Philippines has a number of characteristics that I like. My personality fits the Philippines. It is a country that is full of promise,” Derckx said.
She added: “I look at the Filipino people and I see them as playful and flexible in the way they think. They are intelligent people who can easily relate.”
A member of the Foreign Service since 1989, Derckx arrived in the country in November 2014. She is also the concurrent Netherlands ambassador to Palau, Micronesia and The Marshall Islands.
The Philippine economy
Derckx asked wide eyed and with amazement at the current growth of the Philippine economy, which, at some point, was considered as the sick man of Asia.
“There is a 6-percent growth annually. Where can you find that?” Derckx said, while adding that she was pleasantly surprised when she first arrived in the country, considering the fact that the Philippines has a less positive image abroad as compared to actual living condition in the country.
The economic growth over the last six years is what is intriguing a lot of Dutch companies to, at the very least, look at potential investments in the country.
Derckx said that in October a large trade mission, composed of companies in the agriculture, energy, water and design industries, will be coming to the Philippines to see for themselves the opportunities present.
She said the companies will be coming over to the Philippines no matter who gets elected in the coming May general elections.
According to Derckx, the Netherlands is the 17th biggest economy in the world despite only having a population of 17 million.
“We are always looking for partners. We believe there is a good match in the country with Dutch small and medium enterprises,” Derckx said.
Still, the country is a destination for big-ticket investments, including those from Royal Dutch Shell Plc., Unilever and ING Bank.
According to data from the Board of Investments, from January to November 2015, the Netherlands had a total approved investment of $1.98 billion. The country has consistently ranked among the top 5 in investments placed into the country.
Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas had the Netherland’s equity capital placement in the country over the same period at $357.25 million, the second highest after the United States (US) and ahead of Japan, the United Kingdom and Singapore.
Trade is also vibrant but still remains largely in favor of the Philippines. Last year total Dutch export to the country was at $389.49 million, while Philippine export was at $1.77 billion.
The top 5 Dutch exports were food and live animals, industrial machinery and equipment, medicinal and pharmaceutical products, feeding stuff for animals, and dairy products. On the other hand, top Philippine exports were semiconductors, coconut oil, machinery, transport equipment and chemicals.
The Netherlands sees the Philippines as a critical entry point to over 500 million people in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) market and a gateway of international shipping and air lanes.
It also sees the Philippines as having one of the most skilled labor force in Asia, with a literacy rate of 96.30 percent and wages that are 16 percent to 25 percent lower than those in Europe and the US.
Increasingly, relations between the Netherlands and the Philippines take place in a multilateral sphere of the European Union and the Asean.
The road ahead
Citing the daily traffic struggle in the country as an example, Derckx said the country is moving in the right direction.
“Metro Manila is a huge place. There are also a lot of cities that cope with their own traffic problems. But Filipinos here are still polite and they listen when someone arranges the traffic,” she said.
Derckx said Filipinos are very much aware that there are a lot of things that needed to be improved and, from what she has seen, they are willing to contribute.
She also believes the Aquino administration has done a remarkable job in improving the lives of Filipinos.
“I see a lot of efforts toward inclusive growth. There has been serious progress. There are still a lot of criticisms, but they put a lot of good policies in place. They lived up to their statements,” Derckx noted.
However, she said that for inclusive growth to happen, corruption in all levels should be curved.
“The price of corruption is too high. There is a lot of money involved and it affects economic growth,” Derckx said.
She added that for inclusive growth to be felt, the people today should be able to tell that their lives are better as compared to those of their parents and grandparents.
Since 2011, the Philippines has steadily improved its ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report from 136 to 103 among 189 countries. Meanwhile, Transparency International Corruption Perception Index ranks the Philippines 95th out of 186 countries.
Derckx said beyond choosing the right government in the elections next month, Filipinos should do their part in improving the country.
“Every person can make a difference. A government consists of individuals, but it takes people to push a country. Do what you can on your own side. There is a personal choice,” Derckx said.
A 150-year affair
This year the Netherlands and the Philippines is celebrating their 65th year of diplomatic and 150th year of consular relations.
In 1951 Proceso E. Sebastian was appointed as the first Filipino diplomat to the Netherlands, marking formal diplomatic relations between the two countries. In 1960 the Dutch delegation to the Philippines was elevated to an embassy.
Since then, there have been several milestones, including the 1962 goodwill visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix, the 1980 visit of Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs C.A. van der Klaauw, the 1987 visit of Foreign Minister Hans van den Broek, the 1996 visit of Prime Minister Wim Kok, the 2000 visit of Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management Tineke Netelenbos, and the 2015 visit of her Majesty Queen Maxima as the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance Development.
From the Philippine side, there was the 1968 state visit of former Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal, the 1993 visit of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and the 1995 state visit of former President Fidel V. Ramos.
As part of this year’s celebration, the Netherlands embassy has lined up a series of activities under the theme “Inspire Innovation: Leading Sustainable Innovations towards a Progressive World.”
Among the events that will be held include a Dutch-Filipino film festival in June; disaster-risk reduction, peacebuilding and sustainable society and food-security lecture series from August to October; a fashion show in October highlighting creations from the design exchange program; and a trade mission.
“We want to show Dutch-Filipino partnership contributions to a sustainable world,” Derckx said.
Aside from the Philippine government, the Netherlands embassy also works together with members of civil society and international organizations in promoting good governance, peace and respect for human rights.
Both countries are also working together in the UN in promoting greater human security, good governance and improved standards of living.
Annually, the Netherlands embassy receives more than 25,000 visa applications from Filipinos wanting to travel to their country. It is also estimated that there are now 18,000 Filipinos living in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, there are 900 Dutch living in the Philippines, while 22,000 travel to the country annually.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano
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