House Oks PH-Israel Friendship Day bill
THE House of Representatives has approved House Bill (HB) No. 7763, principally authored by Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Party-list Representative Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva, which seeks to declare August 9 of every year as Philippines-Israel Friendship Day.
“The deep affinity and connection between the Philippines and Israel is an open book in the international community. It traverses a wide spectrum of areas of bilateral relations – be it history, religion, humanitarian efforts, defense, economics, education, agriculture, health, or technology – to name a few. Acknowledging our mutual desire towards greater cooperation and more meaningful partnership, it is just a fitting act to formalize this extraordinary tie by designating a friendship day,” Villanueva said.
“This passage of this bill is also perfectly timed with the 75th year anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel – in which the Philippines had a significant role as the only Asian nation that voted on May 14, 1948 in favor of a United Nations (UN) resolution for Israel to be declared as an independent state and member of a community of nations,” added the CIBAC lawmaker.
The CIBAC lawmaker also highlights milestones in the Philippines-Israel history such as when then President Manuel Quezon authorized the admission into the country of around 1,300 Jewish refugees being persecuted in the Nazi regime, in what was known as the “Open Door Policy.”
In 2009, Israel built an Open Doors Monument in Tel Aviv to thank the Filipino people for the Open Doors Policy. This act of Filipino hospitality was reciprocated by the Israel by providing a visa-free access to Filipino tourists.
The CIBAC lawmaker also cited that when Typhoon “Yolanda” struck the country in 2013, Israel mobilized medical professionals, set up field hospitals, donated medicine and provided relief goods to those who were affected.
Last year, Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss said that Israel is a “reliable and trustworthy partner” of the Philippines when it comes to defense, being made as a major part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Horizon 2 Modernization Program with projects such as the procurement of SHALDAG ships, unmanned aerial vehicles (Hermes 450&900), and the ATMOS (155mm Howitzer), all conducted via government-to-government contracts.
Ambassador Fluss also said that Israel vowed to connect Israeli information communications technology (ICT) firms with Philippine stakeholders to strengthen trade relations and boost technological innovation between the two countries.
Early this year, the Israel Embassy and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) started to explore possible areas of collaboration to advance economic development on the country – specifically agriculture technology and innovation.
The bill mandates the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and other relevant agencies, to spearhead the conduct of activities in observance of the Philippines-Israel Friendship Day.
“It is worth noting that the Israeli government is looking for the passage of this measure. I hope the honorable House of Senate will readily act on this legislative piece,” Villanueva ended.
