WASHINGTON, D.C.—Alarmed by several attempts in the past to sell off valuable consular properties abroad, the Philippines is proposing to craft a legislation for the creation, development, lease, maintenance and proper disposition of overseas assets owned by the national government.
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said he wants the creation of an Overseas Properties Management Board (OPMB) and establishment of the Philippine Center Management Boards (PCMBs) to oversee government-owned properties outside the country.
Romualdez explained there are 85 consular properties abroad that needs to be protected. His proposal would mandate the OPMB to have oversight functions over these Philippine overseas foreign service posts across the globe.
Romualdez told visiting Filipino journalists here the proposed body would formulate, implement and coordinate policies with regard to the acquisition, development, lease, maintenance and sale of all overseas properties.
In Washington alone, the Philippines owned three key properties, including the Philippine Embassy, the Philippine consular office and the residence of the Philippine ambassador.
Presidential Decree 487 issued in 1974 authorized the acquisition of properties strategically located in New York and San Francisco in the United States and Sydney, Australia.
According to Romualdez, most properties owned by the Philippines abroad are not properly maintained while some are being disposed of. The latter includes those in prime locations in Japan, the United Kingdom and the US.
“The properties are not maintained because it is not the business of the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs]. Their business is diplomacy and consular work,” he added. “So I think if we put up company with a specific purpose to manage and maintain all government properties, I think it will be better.”
He also said that the OPMB, under a proposed Overseas Properties Management Board Act, would be mandated to take care of the maintenance of building services and real-property management.
At the same time, the OPMB would be empowered to approve the acquisition, major repair and renovation, as well as development, construction and disposal of real properties.
The body, he said, would also allocate funds for the property management and development projects proposed by the PCMBs using the funds sourced from the DFA Building Fund.
The foreign affairs secretary would chair the OPMB with the head of the Department of Trade and Industry as vice chairman. Members include representatives from the Departments of Budget and Management, Finance, Tourism, Agriculture, as well as Labor and Employment.
Under the proposed bill, Romualdez said disposition of properties abroad would have to be approved by the President upon the recommendation by the OPMB in consultation with the PCMBs.
Likewise, Congress should be vested authority to approve or disapprove the acquisition or sale of properties.
“This is to discourage any businessman-diplomat who want to sell the building such as what almost happened in Japan,” he said.
Romualdez cited the failed attempt to sell the New York Consulate.
He, however, expressed disappointment on the sale of a property in London near Kensington Palace to Indian billionaire and steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal.
Romualdez said Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson is likely to sponsor the bill at the Senate while Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez would sponsor it in the Lower House.