Philippines officials can now visit Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has eased the decades-old travel restriction imposed on government officials to Taiwan, citing the need to maximize the Philippines’ investment opportunities.

Memorandum Circular No. 82 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 15 further prescribed guidelines for the implementation of a 1987 order that barred Philippine officials from visiting Taiwan or receiving calls by visiting Taiwanese officials.

Executive Order No. 313, issued by the late president Corazon Aquino on Dec. 17, 1987 was in line with the Philippines’ one-China policy, as contained in a joint communiqué inked by Manila and Beijing in 1975.

Under the policy, the Philippines recognizes the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.

In 1992, Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular No. 148, which provided guidelines governing travel restrictions to Taiwan and contact with Taiwan’s representatives by Philippine government officials.

The 1992 circular also required Filipino officials visiting Taiwan to provide the Department of Foreign Affairs with a report on their travel and stated that no agreements shall be conducted with any Taiwanese organization or agency without clearance from the DFA and an authority to sign from the Office of the President.

Bersamin said the latest guidelines were intended “to further maximize opportunities for the development and expansion of the Philippines’ priority areas of investments.”

Under the guidelines, restrictions on travel to Taiwan and contact with representatives of Taiwan shall strictly apply to the President, Vice President, foreign affairs secretary and defense secretary.

Meanwhile, Philippine government officials visiting Taiwan for economic, trade and investment purposes shall travel using their ordinary passports and without using their official titles.

They are also required to inform the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, the duly designated instrumentality to promote and protect the Philippines’ interests in Taiwan, of the purpose of their visit prior to their departure and to coordinate with the office during their visit.

MECO, the Philippines’ de facto embassy in Taiwan, is a non-stock, non-profit corporation created under the Corporation Code of the Philippines.