Overriding Priority: The Welfare of the Filipino

The overriding priority of the Department of Foreign Affairs is the welfare of the Filipino people.

The recent past has shone that the key to addressing this priority lies on a strong economic foundation. If you have strong economic fundamentals, a pro-active and innovative business sector, and a  government that is strong in its enabling role, then a country is better positioned to meet the various challenges that it faces, including strategic and the more traditional national security concerns.

Philippine foreign policy today therefore not only focuses on individual Filipinos overseas, but also in pursuing and creating opportunities to strengthen the Philippine economy in order for our country to be global player and to foster conditions where Filipinos can find happiness in their own country.