DFA to close down 12 foreign posts in 2012

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) aims to close down 12 posts abroad by the end of 2012, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Tuesday. During Tuesday's Senate finance committee hearing on the proposed budget of the DFA, del Rosario said that they sent a memorandum to President Benigno Aquino III last September 30 saying that they will be undertaking a rationalization of the country's posts abroad. "In our memorandum to the President we have recommended the closure of 12 posts over two years," he said. "We would like to rationalize the use of limited funds and at best we can avail of the use of these funds and be able to deliver quality services in all aspects related to our foreign policy," he added. In an interview after the hearing, Del Rosario refused to reveal the 12 posts. "I cannot identify (them) I think that recommendation has been made to the President, we're waiting for him to act on it," he said. However, he noted that they chose the posts based on their performance. "We've taken a good look, certain posts obviously have not made (our) standards, they have not been able to pass our criteria," he said. "(We) could use the allocations for those posts and put it to better use in terms of dedicating to posts that can perform better if they are able to get more resources," he added. Senate finance committee chairman Senator Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, suggested that they close down the 12 posts by the end of 2012. "Can you not close the 12 by December 31, 2012 so that at least in the budget in 2013 you will be able to utilize the budget for these 12 embassies and consulates to better augment our presence (abroad)," he said. Del Rosario agreed with Drilon's suggestion. "We will endeavor to do that. I see no problem with closing 12 by 2012," he said. Drilon noted, however, that they are not asking the DFA to conduct a retrenchment program. He said that they really just need to realign funds to other posts which need more resources. He said that at present there are 94 posts abroad, 67 of which are embassies, 23 are consulates, and four are missions to international organizations. "So you have situations where you cannot adequately serve our nationals because a good umber of our resources would be dedicated to places which we can do away with," he said. "I know this is politically sensitive, especially with bilateral relations, but certainly in the national interest (we should) better avail of our national resources," he added. Drilon said they will probably save around P100 million from the closure of the foreign posts. - VVP, GMA News