Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil.) Inc.

“General Membership Meeting”

HON. RONALDO P. LEDESMA
Officer In Charge
Bureau of Immigration
Guest of Honor & Speaker


Wednesday, 20th October 2010
Ballroom 3, New World Hotel , Makati City

Below please find the speech that Attorney Ledesma gave during the GMM:


COMMISSIONER ROY LEDESMA
Speech
Filipino-Indian Businessmen
October 20/21
Draft only

My friends, ladies and gentlemen:

When historians talk about the long, beneficial relationship between the people of India and the Philippines, they would also point out that traders from India had some to this country centuries before the European colonizers did.

I am sure the first Indians who came to our country landed here in order to transact business.

I am sure they did not come here for cosmetic surgery.

That is why it would have been useless to have them fill out disembarkation cards that advertise the local cosmetology business.

I do not mean to put down the medical tourism sector. I will be the first to promote it, given the right, proper and ethical opportunity.

What I simply mean to point out is that when the first businessmen arrived here from India many centuries ago, they brought to our shores many things other than commercial commodity.

They also brought to the Philippines India’s most important symbol. I refer to “human beauty”.

Others would say that it is culture that bind our two nations together. Historians and academicians would be quick to point out that the Filipino language is full of words that originated from Sanskrit. And, that many of our folk beliefs and practices had their origin from India.

I will not debate their view. But I will stick to my original stand – that the most important contribution of the Indian people to our country is “beauty”.

The evidence of this important contribution of India to the Philippines are very visible even to this day.

Two names immediately come to mind: the beautiful Binibining Pilipinas 2010 Venus Raj; and the charming actress Sharmaine Arnaiz whose real name is Sharmaine Prihibas-Shahani.

Given those two names, one cannot debate the important positive effect of the coming of the first Indian businessmen to our country centuries ago.

Unfortunately for me, my friends have concluded that they tell me point blank that I definitely have no Indian blood.

I once argued that I would pass for a son of the late Mayor Ramon Bagatsing if you look at my side view.

An Indian friend told me that in the Hindi language, that is what will be called “trishna”.

Sa tagalog, “pantasya”.

I did not come here today to talk to you about my “trishna”. Today, I thank you all for the invitation to speak before you. And today, I would like to talk about “abhilaasha” or “aspiration”. Or perhaps more appropriately, to talk about “aakaaanksha” or “intention”.

By now, you are all aware of the major reforms we are implementing at the Bureau of Immigration.

Many of these reforms have been reported in media. Many of them have received warm welcome both from the local and the expatriate communities. Some of them need a little more clarification and explanation to address whatever discomfort they may have caused.

An understanding of the “aspiration” and “intention” behind these reforms should help address those concerns.

Reforms and programs

First, allow me to review recent developments in the Bureau of Immigration front.

AT THE NAIA

1. RESHUFFLED AND REORGANIZED IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS AND PERSONNEL AT NAIA AND DMIA

2. CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING FOR ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICERS

3. S-QUEUEING AT DEPARTURE AREAS

4. BI CASHIERS AT 24/7 STATIONS

5. PLANS TO INCREASE IMMIGRATION BOOTHS

6. IMPROVING PROCESSING TIME WITH SPECIAL LANE FOR BUSINESS PERSONS

7. IMPROVING PROCESSING TIME WITH NEW ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS

8. IMPOSING DISCIPLINARY MEASURES VS IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS AND PERSONNEL

9. PLANS TO IMPLEMENT ALL THESE AT CEBU, DAVAO, ZAMBOANGA AND LAOAG

AT THE MAIN OFFICE:

1. PLANS TO REDUCE WAITING TIME FOR PROCESSING AND RELEASE OF VISAS

2. REVIEW POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT IMPLEMENT THE I-CARD

3. PROVIDE VALUE FOR MONEY SERVICES FOR ALL IMMIGRATION SERVICES

4. PLAN FOR AN ON-LINE SYSTEM FOR VISA SERVICES

5. OPEN CHANNELS FOR DIALOGUE, EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND DISCUSSIONS

The Rationale behind the Reforms

I was told by friends from the Indian community that there is a Hindi word which means “eagerness” or “passion”. The Hindi word is “laalsa”. And, I believe that this is the word that best describes what is being done and what is happening in the Bureau of Immigration front.

Laalsa. Eagerness. Passion.

What is it that we are “eager” to do? What is it that is giving us the “passion” to do the reforms and the programs I have just mentioned?

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima explained the reason well.

Here is what Secretary De Lima told us.

According to her, the mission of the Bureau of Immigration goes beyond the mere policing of the entry and exit points in our country.

She said our more important work is two-fold. First, the make sure that legitimate tourists, businessmen and investors coming into the country feel welcome and safe as they pass through the portals of our immigration service. Second, to make sure these legitimate tourists, businessmen and investors continue to feel safe and comfortable during their stay in the country.

Emphasis is made on the word “legitimate”, meaning, legal and with a valid purpose. Anyone who falls out of that definition cannot expect the welcome. Neither can they expect to feel comfortable during their illegal stay in the country.

At the end of the day, our task is not just to guard the ramparts of our island nation. Our task is to protect our friends. That means, you.

It is our task to help protect the friendship of our two nations.

Our country once had a distinguished political leader by the name of Ramon Mitra. He was once Speaker of the House and a gallant and respected leader of the political opposition.

This man was a friend to many, regardless of political persuasion and station in life.

I was told by friends from the Indian community that this man, Ramon, merely lived by his name. It appears that “Mitra” is the Hindi word for “friend”.

That’s our job – to make sure that tourists, businessmen and investors who we call our “Mitra” are given the warm welcome they deserve. And, that while they are in our country, they would feel that the Philippines is their “desh” or homeland, and that every Filipino is a brethren.

Secretary De Lima recognizes the importance of the investments that the Indian community has placed in our country’s business process outsourcing industry, tourism, trading, telecommunication and renewable energy sectors.

She points out that it is vital to ensure the safety of both Indian investors and investments since you contribute significantly to the attainment of the economic objectives of President Noynoy Aquino.

As Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration, I find my task challenging. Even daunting.

But I also find it fulfilling.

It is an honor to be part of the overall effort to protect and enhance a centuries-old partnership between our two peoples; between our two countries.

For me, personally, this is also a pleasant task.

By pursuing our mission and performing our role, we get to thank the Indian nation for its legacy to our race.

This is “Sundarta”. Beauty. Ganda.

It is my hope that “sundarta” would not just be your gift to us, but will also be the hallmark of our continuing, mutually beneficial relationship.

Shukriya. I thank you. Maraming salamat po.

-o0o-