During a five-day official visit to Taipei in November, three members of the House of Representatives called on several Republic of China (Taiwan) government agencies including the Financial Supervisory Commission, the Council of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The delegation comprised of Hon. Linabelle Ruth Villarica of the Fourth District of Bulacan; Hon. Erico Basilio Fabian of the Second District of Zamboanga; and Hon. Manadanas Hermilando of the Secondnd District of Batangas.

The lawmakers commended Taiwan’s advanced agricultural reforms, which were introduced to them by Counselor Wang Ming-lai when they visited the Council of Agriculture. Fabian noted how quite a percentage of Filipino farmers who are not knowledgeable about market mechanisms, and the law of supply and demand, make the mistake of planting identical crops simultaneously, thus causing the price of the said product to severely drop.

Wang noted that Taiwan had previously faced the same problem before, but was able to overcome it by thoroughly educating and training their farmers.

They group also paid a courtesy call to the Vice Minister of the Environmental Protection Agency, Hon. Ye Shin-Chen, who underlined the ROC government’s mission to promote better utilization and preservation of their scarce natural resources. The vice minister especially mentioned how environmental protection and carbon remission reduction have been one of the focal objectives of President Ma’s administration.

On their visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they were able to discuss with Vice Minister Dong Guo-Yu the improvements on cross-strait relations since President Ma had taken office. Remarkable strides have been made between Mainland China and Taiwan in terms of trade and tourism. Vice Minister Dong also expounded on the East China Sea Peace Initiative that President Ma recently proposed.

The delegation was also able to meet with their counterpart Rep. Liao Zhang-Jing, member of the Legislative Yuan (Parliament), and discuss the benefits of a reciprocal visa-waiver treatment between ROC and the Philippines. Liao mentioned that over 130 countries and territories have granted visa-waiver privileges to holders of Republic of China (Taiwan) passports. With the Philippines and Taiwan being close neighbors, a visa waiver agreement will surely bring about better tourism and trade relationship.

During their brief visit, the representatives were not only able to witness the incorporation of Taiwan’s advanced technology to their various industries; they also saw the imperative role of technology in the country’s drive for agricultural development and environmental sustainability.