Spain ready to impart insights on Phl autonomous region

MANILA, Philippines - Spain is ready to impart insights on its autonomous regions to the Philippines to serve as models for the establishment of the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.

Visiting Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Gonzalo de Benito Secades said the process of decentralization is a flexible system requiring good coordination with the central government.

“The process of decentralization is itself a sound process,” he said. “Sometimes the people know best what their needs are, but of course this has to take place in very good coordination with the central government, but I insist this is our experience.

“We just want to show and then it’s for the Philippines to decide or to get more or less interested in this kind of experience.”

De Benito on Wednesday told The STAR autonomy cannot be viewed as moving towards full independence.

“No, no, this is not full independence, We are one nation,” he said.

“It’s autonomy. It depends on the economic situation of the region how much support they need from the central government, so this is a flexible system. It’s not the same system for all of them, but it’s a flexible system which accommodates the needs of each region. But as I say the ‘main decisions’ are taken from the capital Madrid for the whole country.”

De Benito conveyed to Filipino authorities the Spanish government’s message of congratulations for the signing of the framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“As with this kind of agreement there is a question as well of decentralization, giving more competency to the region to decentralize,” he said.

De Benito was in Manila to lead the Spanish delegation to the Philippines-Spain High Level Political Consultations at the Department of Foreign Affairs Wednesday under the framework of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation of 2000.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the special relationship they share based on profound historical and cultural ties, friendship and cooperation.

In an interview, De Benito said Spanish authorities will welcome the Philippine delegation, led by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, to Madrid and the autonomous region of Navarra.

De Benito said Madrid and Navarra are two very different regions, but both have competency in the tax system, as well as in different sectors like education and health.

“This is a very successful experience because people are taking the decisions where they are,” he said. “We don’t make decisions for them from Madrid. We let them make their own decision but in coordination with the central government.”

Deles said Filipino officials would fly to Spain to learn about governance mechanisms under the “chartered community” setup in Navarra and its internal security setup or the local autonomous police force, which may be used as model for the Bangsamoro region’s police force.