ASOG and ANU Philippines Project Hold Manila Conference 2019 in Ateneo

The Ateneo School of Government through the Ateneo Policy Center, in partnership with the Philippines Project of the Australian National University (ANU), held “The Manila Conference 2019: Pathways to Peace and Development in the Philippines” last July 10-11, 2019, at The Loft, Arete, Ateneo de Manila University. The 1.5 day conference was attended by over 400 participants hailing from the diplomatic community, the government, academe, civil society, international organizations, and the private sector. 

In his opening remarks, Dr. John Paul C. Vergara, Vice President of the Ateneo Professional Schools, emphasized the role of the academe in the peace and development process. He cited that “As we study these different facets [of peace and development], we hope to sustain academic and policy discussions between our collaborators all towards genuine progress for peace and development in the country.”

Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, is the keynote speaker for the conference. His speech underscored the long standing bilateral ties between Australia and the Philippines as well as Australia’s support of “peace and development in Muslim Mindanao for more than 20 years.”

The Manila Conference 2019 sought to chart peace and development pathways of the Philippines in the next 3 years and beyond. The 1st day featured an economic update panel, political update panel, and regional security panel while the 2nd day discussed local governance and the BARMM for a total of 5 panels. Each panel drew from a wide range of perspectives highlighting academic and policy discussions between Philippine and Australian academics, policymakers and practitioners.

The 1st panel, Update on the Philippine Economy, gave a midterm assessment of the major economic policies and programs of the Duterte administration particularly Build, Build, Build, Ambisyon Natin 2040, and international trade within the RCEP and the ASEAN integration framework. The panel was moderated by Dr. Roberto Martin N. Galang, Senior Private Sector Specialist of the International Finance Corporation and featured presentations from Asec. Antonio G. Lambino II of the Department of Finance and Dr. Alvin P. Ang of the Ateneo Centre for Economic Research and Development.

The 2nd panel, Update on the Philippine Political Landscape, featured presentations from Prof. Paul D. Hutchcroft of the Australian National University, Dr. Aim Sinpeng of the University of Sydney, and Usec. Jonathan E. Malaya of the Department of Interior and Local Government. Mr. Christian Esguerra of ABS-CBN News Channel chaired the panel which focused on analyzing the current political environment, landmark political achievements, as well as notable consequences of the political re-ordering following the 2019 midterm elections. 

The final session for day 1 delved on Regional Security and the ASEAN. This session looked at the most important security challenges that will frame the ASEAN and the Philippine-ASEAN relationship over the next few years. Mr. Julio S. Amador III of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation served as chair. He was joined by Dr. Aileen S.P. Baviera, Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress, Dr. William T. Tow, Emeritus Professor at the ANU Department of International Relations, and Dr. Jay Batongbacal, Director of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea as panelists.

The 2nd day of the conference focused on domestic security and growth. During the panel on Growth and Local Governance in the Regions, Dr. Divina Luz Lopez of De La Salle University, Atty. Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco of the Ateneo School of Government and Dr. Acram Latiph of Mindanao State University explored key local governance issues  such as federalism, equitable regional growth, and development in the newly created BARMM Region.

The final panel on Peacebuilding, Security, and Development in the Bangsamoro, examined the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), terrorism, and countering violent extremism efforts in Mindanao specifically in Marawi. Dr. Raymund Narag, Assistant Professor at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale, served as panel chair. Meanwhile, Dr. Clarke Jones, Research Fellow at Australian National University, Dr. Jennifer S. Oreta, Assistant Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, and Dr. Jovanie Camacho Espesor, Assistant Professor at Mindanao State University - General Santos City.

The conference photos may be viewed here.