DFA Launches “Ambassador’s Handbook”

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) launched “The Ambassador’s Handbook” which weaves together numerous and often complex government rules and regulations on administrative matters into a concise manual for use by Philippine Ambassadors and Consuls General.

The launch was held at the final day of the 2019 Global Conference of Heads of Post (GCHOP) at the New World Hotel Makati, which was attended by heads of Philippine Embassies and Consulates General from around the world.

In his foreword, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. stated that “this Handbook will help synthesize the Ambassador’s training, skills, experience and maturity, assisting them through the nuts and bolts in more efficiently managing people – professional civil servants all – as well as resources and even time, so that, shorn of doubt and lack of knowledge of daily bureaucratic drudgery, they may then focus on the things that matter.”

At the launch of the publication, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration J. Eduardo Malaya expressed hope that “with the Handbook serving as quick reference for Heads of Posts, they will be able to more fully harness personnel, financial and other resources, lead more effectively their one-country teams, and ultimately fulfill their responsibilities and missions.”

Copies of the handbook were distributed to the Ambassadors and Consuls General after the symbolic presentation to Secretary Locsin.

The Ambassador’s Handbook is the product of a collaboration between the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA) and its line offices, in cooperation with the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns.

The Handbook was prepared by a Technical Working Group with DFA-OUA Special Assistant Andre Peter C. Estanislao as Chairperson, and DFA-OUA Principal Assistant Atty. Teddy Edmund T. Pavon as Vice-Chairperson. (DFA PR)