Aquino returns home from a successful visit to Indonesia for the 18th ASEAN Summit
JAKARTA, Indonesia (via PLDT-Smart) : President Benigno S. Aquino III left for Manila today after his successful attendance at the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the 7th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Leaders Summit, here.
The President’s plane took off at exactly 7:15 a.m. (8:15 a.m. Manila time) at the Perdanakusuma Military Airbase here on board a chartered flight RP C6226 jet plane. The President and his official delegation is expected to touch down in Manila before noon Monday.
President Aquino was originally scheduled to be home Sunday evening but his pilots and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Administration (PAGASA) insisted a 12-hour delay on their flight citing extreme weather conditions.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang said that during the extension of their stay here, President Aquino made good use of his time by monitoring the situation back home through close coordination with concerned government agencies that include Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, the Office of Civil Defense, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and PAGASA. (PCOO)
PH and Vietnam discuss South China Sea issue during bilateral talks
JAKARTA, Indonesia: The Philippines and Vietnam held bilateral talks at the sidelines of the just-concluded 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit to talk about their respective country’s claim to the highly contested area in the South China Sea.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang told a press conference here on Sunday that President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also discussed how each country may both contribute to easing tensions in the area.
“Napagkasunduan natin sa Vietnam kung ano man ang claims natin sa South China Sea ay hindi dapat mauwi sa gulo yung competing claims. So ang sinasabi natin sa Vietnam, maghanap tayo ng paraan para hindi maging tensiyonado ang South China Sea,” Carandang said.
“Kung makakahanap tayo ng paraan na makikinabang tayong lahat dito, na hindi naman natin kailangang pag-awayan yung sovereignty issues dun, ay sumasangayon ang Vietnam dun at yun ang ating gagawin.. to pursue peaceful dialogue at the same time maintaining our sovereignty,” he added.
He stressed that it was important for ASEAN member countries who are laying claim to the contested area to come up with a common stand and to speak as one in order to strengthen our “influence” on the issue.
“Ang gusto natin kasi ay magkaisa tayo ng posisyon bago tayo humarap sa Taiwan, sa China at iba pang mga bansa na nagke-claim din sa South China Sea,” Carandang said. (PCOO)
Aquino arrives home from successful 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta
President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives home from a successful two-day attendance in the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and reports on some positive developments including the recognition of the Philippines by ASEAN.
In his arrival speech at the Presidential Air Lift Wing of the Philippine Air Force on Monday at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, the President reiterated that he was really happy for Saranggani Representative and Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao having brought the country yet another honor after he successfully defended his WBO welterweight title.
During his speech, the President reported that the 10-member ASEAN leaders agreed to recognize its priorities and work together towards an ASEAN community in 2015 and to achieve a common platform for the region beyond 2015.
He said that during the summit, he outlined the Philippines point of view on the needs to collectively address the issues on calamities and tragedies, problems on drugs and human trafficking, sea piracy, security and territorial disputes, and the protection of overseas Filipino workers and seafarers.
“Natuwa naman po tayo nang malaman nating buo ang suporta ng ating mga karatig-bansa sa mga adhikain natin. Hindi ko po maiwasang maisip na nasisilayan na nila ang bagong liwanag na tumatanglaw sa Pilipinas. Sukli na nga po siguro sa ating pagsusumikap ang tiwalang ipinagkakaloob nila sa atin,” he said.
The President joined the nine other ASEAN heads of state in agreeing to support three priority concerns outlined by the host country Indonesia.
These priorities include efforts to ensure significant progress in achieving the ASEAN community; to ensure that the regional architecture and regional environment remain ASEAN centered and conducive to development; and to commence deliberations on an ASEAN vision of an “ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations” beyond the Year 2015.
On the energy issue, the President said that Indonesia adhered to adopt the country’s “Pantawid Pasada“ or fuel subsidy program for the public transport industry.
“Sila naman po ay kusang lumapit, at ang sabi nila, “Kayo sa Pilipinas, walang langis, pero kahit papaano nakakagawa ng paraan. Paano ba ninyo ito ginagawa?” Kinikilala po nila kung gaano kaepektibo ang ating diskarte. Sabi natin, “meron kaming programa, ang tawag Pantawid Pasada.” Ngayon po, inaaral na nila ang ginagawa nating targeted subsidy, na nagtutuon ng tulong kung saan pinakamalaki ang impact nito,” he stressed.
Being a responsible and peace loving nation, he said the Philippines offered any help for the immediate and diplomatic resolution of the Cambodia and Thailand border dispute.
The President also noted that the Philippines was appointed to assume the chairmanship of the 7th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) during its next meeting.
The BIMP-EAGA cooperation aims to increase trade, tourism and investments with and outside the sub region by facilitating the free movement of people, goods and services, making the best use of common infrastructure and natural resources, and taking the fullest advantage of economic complementation.
“Ugnayan po ito ng mga bansang malaki ang pakinabang sa karagatan, at malaking karangalan ang pagiging pinuno natin nito. Sagisag ito ng tiwala ng ating mga karatig-bansa sa kakayahan nating manguna sa paghakbang tungo sa seguridad, istabilidad, at kaunlaran,” he said.
At the sidelines of the summit, the President also reported that Cambodia and Laos, vowed to exchange trade with the Philippines. He said Thailand expressed keen interest in participating in the Public-Private Partnership program while Vietnam is willing to cooperate with the Philippines in securing territories in the South China Sea through peaceful means at the same time maintaining its sovereignty.
“Kasama ang ating mga karatig-bayan, tinutungo na po natin ang potensyal natin bilang isang bayan, at maging, bilang isang rehiyon. Sa kabilang banda, maging mabuting halimbawa nawa tayo sa ibang bansa: na sa ilalim ng liwanag ng mabuting pamamahala, sa pagbagtas sa tuwid na daan, walang balakid ang hindi natin kayang lampasan, walang tunguhin na hindi natin kayang marating,” he said.
Apart from these, the ASEAN leaders also agreed to adopt three joint statements: on the ASEAN community in a Global Community of Nations; on the Establishment of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation; and, in enhancing Cooperation against Trafficking in Persons in Southeast Asia. (PCOO)
JAKARTA, Indonesia (via PLDT-Smart) : President Benigno S. Aquino III left for Manila today after his successful attendance at the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the 7th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Leaders Summit, here.
The President’s plane took off at exactly 7:15 a.m. (8:15 a.m. Manila time) at the Perdanakusuma Military Airbase here on board a chartered flight RP C6226 jet plane. The President and his official delegation is expected to touch down in Manila before noon Monday.
President Aquino was originally scheduled to be home Sunday evening but his pilots and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Administration (PAGASA) insisted a 12-hour delay on their flight citing extreme weather conditions.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang said that during the extension of their stay here, President Aquino made good use of his time by monitoring the situation back home through close coordination with concerned government agencies that include Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, the Office of Civil Defense, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and PAGASA. (PCOO)
PH and Vietnam discuss South China Sea issue during bilateral talks
JAKARTA, Indonesia: The Philippines and Vietnam held bilateral talks at the sidelines of the just-concluded 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit to talk about their respective country’s claim to the highly contested area in the South China Sea.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang told a press conference here on Sunday that President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also discussed how each country may both contribute to easing tensions in the area.
“Napagkasunduan natin sa Vietnam kung ano man ang claims natin sa South China Sea ay hindi dapat mauwi sa gulo yung competing claims. So ang sinasabi natin sa Vietnam, maghanap tayo ng paraan para hindi maging tensiyonado ang South China Sea,” Carandang said.
“Kung makakahanap tayo ng paraan na makikinabang tayong lahat dito, na hindi naman natin kailangang pag-awayan yung sovereignty issues dun, ay sumasangayon ang Vietnam dun at yun ang ating gagawin.. to pursue peaceful dialogue at the same time maintaining our sovereignty,” he added.
He stressed that it was important for ASEAN member countries who are laying claim to the contested area to come up with a common stand and to speak as one in order to strengthen our “influence” on the issue.
“Ang gusto natin kasi ay magkaisa tayo ng posisyon bago tayo humarap sa Taiwan, sa China at iba pang mga bansa na nagke-claim din sa South China Sea,” Carandang said. (PCOO)
Aquino arrives home from successful 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta
President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives home from a successful two-day attendance in the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and reports on some positive developments including the recognition of the Philippines by ASEAN.
In his arrival speech at the Presidential Air Lift Wing of the Philippine Air Force on Monday at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, the President reiterated that he was really happy for Saranggani Representative and Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao having brought the country yet another honor after he successfully defended his WBO welterweight title.
During his speech, the President reported that the 10-member ASEAN leaders agreed to recognize its priorities and work together towards an ASEAN community in 2015 and to achieve a common platform for the region beyond 2015.
He said that during the summit, he outlined the Philippines point of view on the needs to collectively address the issues on calamities and tragedies, problems on drugs and human trafficking, sea piracy, security and territorial disputes, and the protection of overseas Filipino workers and seafarers.
“Natuwa naman po tayo nang malaman nating buo ang suporta ng ating mga karatig-bansa sa mga adhikain natin. Hindi ko po maiwasang maisip na nasisilayan na nila ang bagong liwanag na tumatanglaw sa Pilipinas. Sukli na nga po siguro sa ating pagsusumikap ang tiwalang ipinagkakaloob nila sa atin,” he said.
The President joined the nine other ASEAN heads of state in agreeing to support three priority concerns outlined by the host country Indonesia.
These priorities include efforts to ensure significant progress in achieving the ASEAN community; to ensure that the regional architecture and regional environment remain ASEAN centered and conducive to development; and to commence deliberations on an ASEAN vision of an “ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations” beyond the Year 2015.
On the energy issue, the President said that Indonesia adhered to adopt the country’s “Pantawid Pasada“ or fuel subsidy program for the public transport industry.
“Sila naman po ay kusang lumapit, at ang sabi nila, “Kayo sa Pilipinas, walang langis, pero kahit papaano nakakagawa ng paraan. Paano ba ninyo ito ginagawa?” Kinikilala po nila kung gaano kaepektibo ang ating diskarte. Sabi natin, “meron kaming programa, ang tawag Pantawid Pasada.” Ngayon po, inaaral na nila ang ginagawa nating targeted subsidy, na nagtutuon ng tulong kung saan pinakamalaki ang impact nito,” he stressed.
Being a responsible and peace loving nation, he said the Philippines offered any help for the immediate and diplomatic resolution of the Cambodia and Thailand border dispute.
The President also noted that the Philippines was appointed to assume the chairmanship of the 7th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) during its next meeting.
The BIMP-EAGA cooperation aims to increase trade, tourism and investments with and outside the sub region by facilitating the free movement of people, goods and services, making the best use of common infrastructure and natural resources, and taking the fullest advantage of economic complementation.
“Ugnayan po ito ng mga bansang malaki ang pakinabang sa karagatan, at malaking karangalan ang pagiging pinuno natin nito. Sagisag ito ng tiwala ng ating mga karatig-bansa sa kakayahan nating manguna sa paghakbang tungo sa seguridad, istabilidad, at kaunlaran,” he said.
At the sidelines of the summit, the President also reported that Cambodia and Laos, vowed to exchange trade with the Philippines. He said Thailand expressed keen interest in participating in the Public-Private Partnership program while Vietnam is willing to cooperate with the Philippines in securing territories in the South China Sea through peaceful means at the same time maintaining its sovereignty.
“Kasama ang ating mga karatig-bayan, tinutungo na po natin ang potensyal natin bilang isang bayan, at maging, bilang isang rehiyon. Sa kabilang banda, maging mabuting halimbawa nawa tayo sa ibang bansa: na sa ilalim ng liwanag ng mabuting pamamahala, sa pagbagtas sa tuwid na daan, walang balakid ang hindi natin kayang lampasan, walang tunguhin na hindi natin kayang marating,” he said.
Apart from these, the ASEAN leaders also agreed to adopt three joint statements: on the ASEAN community in a Global Community of Nations; on the Establishment of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation; and, in enhancing Cooperation against Trafficking in Persons in Southeast Asia. (PCOO)
