Aquino back from ASEAN Summit with P21-B infrastructure assistance package
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III brought home a P21 billion infrastructure assistance package and reinvigorated diplomatic ties with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The President returned home Sunday evening via Philippine Airlines flight PR598 from a successful state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam where he also attended the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and other related meetings.
Upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal II in Pasay City, the Chief Executive was welcomed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and other government officials, which include Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose De Jesus, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Ging Deles, Presidential Communications and Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Armed Forces Chief Maj. Gen. Ricardo David, Philippine National Police Chief Dir. Gen. Raul Bacalzo, Metro Manila Development Authority Secretary Francis Tolentino and Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Amor Amorado.
In an interview, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang, described the President’s Vietnam trip as "very good".
Carandang said that aside from the President’s state visit to Vietnam and his attendance of the 17th ASEAN Summit, President Aquino had bilateral meetings with the leaders of Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
Carandang said that Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has approved the P21-billion fund that will be used in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) road projects.
"We were informed by Prime Minister Naoto Kan that a P21-billion assistance package for road upgrades had been approved," Carandang said.
President Aquino also took the opportunity to invite Brunei and South Korea to participate in the Public-Private Partnership conference to be held in the Philippines from November 18 to 19.
The visit was also a chance for the Philippines to raise concerns on several regional issues.
The President strengthened ties with other world leaders and expressed the concerns of the country on regional issues like the South China Sea, regional disaster management, reforms in Myanmar and the weakening US dollar.
“The ASEAN Summit was an opportunity for heads of states of Southeast Asia to get to know each other and enter into agreements on common issues and concerns,” said the President in his arrival speech.
“We were able to raise our concerns on the issue involving the South China Sea and support for the proposed Declaration of Conduct that is expected to result into a Code of Conduct that will regulate activities in the said area,” he said, adding that other issues that were covered in the Summit included cooperation in disaster management and risk reduction, trade, investments and financial concerns among member states.
The President likewise pushed for a diplomatic resolution of the Spratlys territorial dispute where the Philippines claims some of the islands as its own and called for the immediate release of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
President Aquino said he also expressed support for the proposal of Thailand to have more frequent talks among ASEAN central bankers and finance ministers to address capital inflows that have strengthened currencies and weakened exports.
During his state visit, the President witnessed the signing of four agreements between the Philippines and Vietnam, particularly on academic and defense cooperation, oil spill preparedness and response, and rescue operations at sea. (PCOO)
Aquino, kin to visit late parent's tomb tomorrow
President Benigno Aquino III and his sisters will pay respect to their parents, the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former president Corazon Cojuangco Aquino tomorrow, Nov. 2 at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.
The President revealed this in an interview upon his arrival from a successful State Visit to Vietnam and attending the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
The Chief Executive noted that the influx of people visiting their departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day, today make it difficult for them to have quality time to offer prayers for their parents and have private moments amongst themselves.
“Syempre gusto naman naming magkaroon ng oras na makapag-dasal ng maayos, magunita ang aming mga magulang. Pag nakipag-sisikan tayo ng November 1, masyadong maraming tao”, President Aquino said. (PCOO)
