THE Philippines and Chile, though geographically “worlds apart,” share numerous parallelisms in history and heritage.
In 2015 the BusinessMirror ran a feature on the Southern American country through its reporter for the diplomatic community Recto L. Mercene. There, he noted Chile as “one of [our Foreign Affairs Departments’] farthest postings…. Located 17,140 kilometers from the Philippines, it would take more than a day to reach it.”
In his interview with Philippine envoy to Chile Maria Consuelo Puyat-Reyes, the lady diplomat noted “similarities in the experience of [the two] countries with martial-law regimes,” pertaining to those of Augusto Pinochet and Ferdinand Marcos.
That same year former President Benigno S. Aquino III received at Malacañan Palace his counterpart from Chile, Michelle Bachelet—the first female chief executive from the said country—who was elected to a two-year term.
In a report by the Philippine News Agency, the bilateral ties of Chile to the Philippines represent the Latin American state’s oldest with a member of the Asean.
Between 2006 and 2010 Philippine-Chilean trade numbers saw a notable fourfold increase, as both sides bolstered commercial relations in mining, geothermal energy development and production. They also exchanged information and best practices on increasing revenue collection.
As the world’s top producer and exporter of copper, Chile exports world-class wines, copper by-products and fish products, among others, to the Philippines. In exchange, our country ships semiconductors, industrial electronics, branded clothes and fruits.
According to Wikipedia, the Philippines and Chile trace their diplomatic relations in 1854, “when [the latter] opened a consulate in Binondo, Manila. But [their] formal relations were established on July 4, 1946, when the Philippines officially gained its independence from the United States.”
Further online research yielded a narrative that on September 18, 1810, Chile’s independence leader Bernardo O’Higgins pushed for the independence of other Spanish colonies, which included the Philippines. He was of the belief that to prevent Spain from reconquering Chile, the Spaniards had to be overthrown from Manila.
As his country celebrates its 208th National Day of Independence, Ambassador of Chile to the Philippines Jose Miguel Capdevila took some time off from his embassy’s preparations to speak with the BusinessMirror, particularly in the areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Below, the envoy specifically mentioned the revival of talks for the free-trade agreement (FTA), as well as their collaboration in disaster risk reduction and management (as both the Philippines and Chile are predisposed to the effects of the geologic activity in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, among other potential natural calamities).
ENVOYS&EXPATS: What is the general state of relations between Chile and the Philippines?
We are working closely with the Philippines to enhance and foster our bilateral relations. To Chile’s foreign policy, the Philippines is an important country.
Having 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are fully aware of the potentials involved, and we share a lot of things in common, such as religion, our Spanish cultural background and being part of the Pacific Region, which makes our understanding and cooperation easier and far-reaching.
What are the current developments regarding the free trade and enhanced disaster resilience cooperation agreements signed in 2015? Have these been applied to recent events in both countries, particularly the latter?
With regard to free trade, both countries (have made their commitments) since 2015, when (our former President) Bachelet signed a letter of intent with then-President Aquino to negotiate an FTA, as well as to undertake the dialogue and actions conducive to that end.
In May there was a meeting in Papua New Guinea between Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and his Chilean counterpart to discuss ways and means to restart the bilateral negotiations within this year.
Chile and the Philippines have complementary economies, and having an FTA would greatly benefit the producers and exporters of both countries.
Free trade is the key that leads to growth and development. Chile, with its 26 FTAs in 64 countries—including six Asean nations—owes much of its economic success to it.
As for the memorandum of agreement signed in 2015 on disaster risk reduction and management, Chile and the Philippines have this instrument that provides a legal framework to enhance bilateral cooperation, with special emphasis on prevention and mitigation, as well as exchange of good practices—including plans and protocols, community actions on disaster risk reduction and financial assistance for (such).
We hope that in the short term, national authorities and entrusted agencies could discuss this important matter in depth and provide a road map for the bilateral cooperation that would follow.
In what other areas can the Philippines and Chile work together?
Cooperation in the field of mining is one of the several avenues our countries should explore. Chile is the world’s largest copper producer and exporter, and we have high standards in terms of the protection of the environment associated with extractive activities.
There is room for cooperation in food security, as well as in agriculture and fisheries. These are just a few of the areas that we can work together with the Philippines.
What would you say would be the hallmark of your ambassadorship in the Philippines? What are your plans until the end of your tenure?
First and foremost is the need for Chile and the Philippines to get closer and to know each other better. To achieve this, we have to expand and deepen our relationship both in political and economic terms as well as cooperation and the promotion of our respective cultures.
Definitively, our aim is the signing of an FTA with the Philippines and to create the conditions for expanding mutual investments by setting up bridges for the entrepreneurs through the creation of a Chilean-Filipino business council.
Likewise, it is important to mention our combined efforts with the Philippines to enhance our ties with Asean countries and to promote a consistent bilateral dialogue with the Department of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, bearing in mind that the next summit of the said organization (will) take place next year in Santiago.
Aside from the Spanish heritage, what elements are common between our countries? What is it about the Philippines that you have come to like?
Doubtless, they are about the family values and the importance we attach to friendship.
I would also mention some closeness in the sense of humor and the resilience of our peoples.
I cherish very much the kindness and hospitable attitude of the Filipinos—a hallmark of their collective being.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano