PH allows trade officials to visit Taiwan

The Philippine government has eased the regulations on the visit of government officials to Taiwan "for economic, trade, and investment" as well as receiving Taiwanese officials visiting the country, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Monday.

Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular No. 82 which further prescribed the guidelines for the implementation of Executive Order No. 313 (S. 1987). This EO prohibits officials of the Philippine government to visit Taiwan and to receive Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines.

Bersamin told GMA News Online that the government is ''liberalizing'' to improve investments with Taiwan.

''We are the lowest sa mga investment destinations ng Taiwan and one of the factors na nakita namin is this One China Policy na mabagal 'yung ano kasi Department of Foreign Affairs ang nagbi-visa,'' Bersamin said in a phone call.

''We liberalize, 'yun lang,'' Bersamin added.

Manila does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a democratic self-ruling island which has been separated from the Chinese mainland since 1949.

Under MC No.82, restrictions on travel to Taiwan and contact with representatives of Taiwan shall strictly apply to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Secretary of National Defense.

''Philippine government officials intending to visit Taiwan for economic, trade, and investment purposes, shall travel using their ordinary passports and without using their official titles,'' the MC read.

''Further, they are required to: (a) inform MECO of the purpose of their visit prior to their departure; and (b) coordinate with MECO during their visit.

To recall, EO 313 stated that, ''No official of the Philippine government may visit Taiwan.''

Further, ''No official of the Philippine government may receive Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines.''

''No official activity relating to Taiwan shall be carried out without the clearance of the Department of Foreign Affairs,'' the EO indicated.

Under the latest MC of the Marcos administration, Philippine government officials travelling to Taiwan for economic, trade, and investment purposes shall submit to MECO and DFA a report on their travel.

Through MECO, they may also receive delegations from Taiwan for economic, trade and investment purposes.

No agreements, memoranda of understanding, exchange of notes or similar documents shall be concluded with any Taiwanese organization or agency without clearance from the DFA and, as may be necessary, an authority to sign from the Office of the President.

MECO is currently headed by Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, former head of the Presidential Communications Office. —AOL, GMA Integrated News