THE House of Representatives on Monday adopted a resolution that would effectively boost the cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam through the establishment of the Philippine-Vietnam Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society.

The resolution effectively solidified the existing exchange of visits program by both countries’ respective parliamentarians and further strengthened the ties between the two nations by designating the officials and members of the parliamentarian society.

“ … To further strengthen the long-standing friendship, the Philippines and Vietnam have pledged to continue the exchange of visits by their respective parliamentarians,” House Resolution (HR) No. 571 said.

“ … It is the mutual desire of the Philippines and Vietnam to deepen and broaden their joint efforts towards the attainment of regional peace and prosperity, foster mutual understanding and cooperation and further strengthen the ties of friendship and solidarity between them through the friendship society,” it further said.

HR No. 571 was introduced by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre.

It was on July 12, 1976 when the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam were established through the efforts of then Philippine Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo and then Vietnamese Vice Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Phan Hien to sign a joint communique.

Subsequently, the House of Representatives on March 18, 1993 unanimously adopted HR No. 30, entitled “Resolution Organizing the Philippine-Vietnam Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society,” to strengthen and widen the scope of relations between the parliaments of the Philippines and Vietnam.

“ … Among the ten (10) member countries of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Philippines and Vietnam have developed a special relation through the years anchored on shared goals, common visions, and mutual interests for the benefit of their peoples and towards a genuinely peaceful and productive path in regional cooperation,” the resolution said.

“ … As a member of the ASEAN, the Philippines accords great importance to its continuing friendship with the member countries, especially with Vietnam, and views the friendship and historical ties of solidarity and cooperation among the Southeast Asian countries as essential elements to attain peace and prosperity in the region.”

Since the establishment of the Philippine-Vietnam Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society, the two nations have deepened their diplomatic relations and understanding to promote a mutually beneficial relationship in different areas of concerns.

The resolution was passed by the House of Representatives and part of the measure designates the officers and members of this organization.

For the chairperson, it shall be the chair of the Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy; and as vice-chairperson, the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

For its members, the following were designated under the resolution:

Deputy Speakers and the chairs of the Committees on Economic Affairs, on Trade and Industry, on Agriculture, on National Defense, and on the West Philippine Sea, along with the vice-chair of the Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy and other members as may be designated by the Speaker.