Aquino arrives in Jakarta for 18th ASEAN Summit
JAKARTA, Indonesia: President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here Friday to join nine other leaders attending the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings from May 7 to 8 at the Jakarta Convention Center.
The Chief Executive, accompanied by a lean delegation, arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Military Airbase on board a chartered flight RP C6226 jet plane.
The delegation includes Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Secretary Lualhati Antonino, chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang.
Upon his arrival, the President and his delegation proceeded to the VVIP Room of the Sasana Manggala Praja Halim where they were received by Indonesian officials led by His Excellency Fadel Muhammad of the Indonesian Ministry for Fisheries; Ambassador Ahmad Rusdi, Chief of Internal Protocol; Mr. Simon Sukarno, Deputy Director of Protocol and Lt. Col. Slamet Leksono, close in security officer.
Also present were Philippine government officials including Ambassador Wilfrido Villacorta, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN; Ambassador Miguel Perez Rubio, Presidential Protocol chief and Maria Rosario Aguinaldo, Charge de Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta.
President Aquino awaits a busy schedule Saturday and Sunday at the culmination of the ASEAN Summit which has “ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations” for its theme.
During the event, the President will also be taking efforts to “emphasize” the priorities and initiatives to promote and develop a people-centered ASEAN through the ASEAN community’s three major pillars: political-security, economic and socio-cultural.
The President will also meet with his ASEAN counterparts to discuss the priority issues of ASEAN as it works towards building an ASEAN Community by 2015.
President Aquino is also expected to conduct several bilateral meetings with fellow ASEAN country leaders at the sidelight of the Summit.
Following the summit, the President is also attending the 7th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Leaders Summit at the same venue where he will have a chance to push for the development of the area as a prime eco-tourism destination through the promotion of community-based strategies such as infrastructure support and incentives for tourism marketing.
The BIMP-EAGA cooperation also aims to increase trade, tourism and investments with and outside the sub-region through the facilitation of free movement of people, goods, and services, make the best use of common infrastructure and natural resources and take the fullest advantage of economic complementation. (PCOO)
PHL underscores expediting ASEAN efforts for peace, stability, and economic competitiveness
JAKARTA, Indonesia: The Philippine government urged fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-member countries to step up their efforts to realize the goal of building an ASEAN Community that is peaceful, stable, economically competitive and people-oriented.
In a series of meetings held here Friday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario consistently emphasized the need for ASEAN to step up and expedite its work to reach its goal of promoting peace, stability and economic competitiveness in the whole ASEAN region considering the remaining four years from its target date of 2015.
Del Rosario participated in the 5th Meeting of the Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and the 8th Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) here yesterday in preparation for the 18th ASEAN Summit which formally opens Saturday, May 7.
The Philippine priorities in achieving ASEAN’s community-building goals by the year 2015 include the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Work Plan on Combating Illicit Drug Production, Trafficking and Use for 2009 to 2015 to achieve a Drug-Free ASEAN by 2015.
Del Rosario expressed the Philippines’ commitment to promote and protect human rights in ASEAN through the ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.
He also moved to pursue the completion of the guidelines on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) this year to commemorate 20 years of ASEAN-China strategic partnership.
The ASEAN Member States need closer coordination to promote and protect the welfare of its nationals caught in crisis situations given the peace and security situation in the Middle East and Africa.
He also urged multilateral and bilateral legal arrangements among ASEAN Member States, which is in accordance with the ASEAN plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime.
At the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), del Rosario underscored the enhancement of disaster management cooperation by improving coordination mechanisms and capacity building, such as the ARF
Del Rosario pushed for the full implementation of the APSC Communication Plan, which was adopted in 2010 to enhance awareness among the peoples in ASEAN ensure the promotion of peace and security in the region;
He urged, the preparation of an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking-in- Persons (ACTIP) as soon as possible as a mechanism to enhance ASEAN’s efforts in combating trafficking in persons.
The Philippines, as the lead shepherd on Trafficking in Persons, will host the “Experts’ Meeting to Study the Feasibility on Developing an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking-in-Persons” in June, and the 5th Senior Officials’ Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Working Group Meeting on TIP and the 20th Meeting of the Heads of Specialist Anti-Trafficking Units in July this year. (PCOO)
Yudhoyono proposes ASEAN food and energy security frameworks
JAKARTA, Indonesia: President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudyohono, chair of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit has proposed the establishment of ASEAN food and energy security frameworks that will help address the food and electricity requirements of the region in the coming years.
In his speech formally opening the 18th ASEAN Summit held at the Jakarta Convention Center here Saturday, the Indonesian Chief Executive acknowledged the challenges of food security and energy security.”
He said this “this global situation” will have the world population hitting the nine billion mark by 2045 forcing nations “face a competitive situation for scarce resources for their citizens’ daily needs.”
“The competition for energy, for food, and for clean water will become part of the global competition,” Yudyohono said.
He stressed the need for “clear and evident cooperation amongst ASEAN, with special emphasis on programs on securing food supply (and energy supply) for the people.”
Yudyohono said that, “one of the quick responses that we must take is establishing an ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework that is comprehensive, particularly in research and development.
“More specifically, we must attend to the formulation of a food reserves system in ASEAN and also one that (will) assist farmers from escaping poverty,” he added.
Of equal import, the Indonesian President said, “is the need to ensure energy security.”
He pointed out the need to find and develop sources of renewable energy “to increase the available supply of energy sources and reduce energy consumption that negatively impacts the environment.”
“Furthermore, the application of renewable energy and the implementation of the program of ASEAN Energy Efficiency and Conservation should promote the economic and social development in countries in ASEAN,” Yudyohono said.
He also pointed out the need to strengthen cooperation on renewable energy sources and alternative energy, including hydro and geothermal-power through the development of research centers and renewable energy (facilities) in our region.
“We must give serious attention and take concrete measures to address the soaring prices of food and energy which has negatively affected the prosperity of our people,” Yudyohono said. (PCOO)
PHL invites Thai oil company investment
JAKARTA, Indonesia: The Philippines has invited one of Thailand’s major oil players to invest in the country as part of government’s efforts to bring down the spiraling cost of this very important commodity.
Energy Secretary Jose Almendras told a press briefing at the sidelines of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here that the Philippines had extended its “invitation” to Thailand during the bilateral talks on Saturday morning.
“We met with the Trade Minister of Thailand and we presented our proposal which is: we are inviting PTT, a major petroleum company of Thailand to play a more active role in the retail market of petroleum in the Philippines,” Almendras said.
He pointed out that inviting PTT to put up fuel stations in the Philippines, may address “the disparity of fuel pricing between the Asians” by moving other fuel companies to price their commodities competitively.
“Recently we have proven that competition does enhance market,” Almendras said.
“It was on this basis that we made the invitation to the government of Thailand, through the Minister of Trade of Thailand to try to encourage more expansion, more investments and more participation of the Thai oil companies in the downstream oil distribution system network in the Philippines,” he added. (PCOO)
Aquino urges Thailand, Cambodia to resolve border dispute in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity
JAKARTA, Indonesia: President Benigno S. Aquino III has offered to help “in any way” to resolve the row between Thailand and Cambodia, Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario said Saturday.
Del Rosario said that the President offered his help during the plenary session following the opening ceremonies of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit being held here from May 7 to 8.
He said the President urged both countries to end the conflict and bring it to a peaceful resolution.
“The President expressed the desire of the Philippines to be of help in any way they can. And he has urged that the conflict be brought to a peaceful resolution in the spirit of ASEAN, brotherhood and solidarity,” Del Rosario said.
The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute began in June 2008 involving the area surrounding the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, located between the Choam Khsant district in the Preah Vihear province of northern Cambodia and the Kantharalak district (amphoe) in the Sisaket province of Northeastern Thailand. (PCOO)
Aquino fully supports Pacquiao’s boxing bout in Las Vegas
JAKARTA, Indonesia: President Benigno S. Aquino III fully supports Filipino boxing icon and eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao who is scheduled to exchange punches with American challenger Shane Mosley on May 7 (May 8, Manila time) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, USA.
In a press briefing following the opening ceremonies of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said that although President Aquino will not have the opportunity to personally watch the Pacquiao-Mosley fight, the Chief Executive overwhelmingly supports the Filipino Peoples’ Champ when he slugs it out above the ring with Mosley on Sunday.
“Unfortunately the ASEAN retreat session begins tomorrow morning and the President will not be able to watch the fight… but like everybody else, the President is going to pray and wish another victory for Manny Pacquiao,” Carandanag said “So we are one thousand percent behind Manny Pacquiao”, Carandang said.
President Aquino and a lean Philippine delegation are presently attending the two-day high-level meeting of leaders of the ten ASEAN-member countries here to discuss issues affecting the region.
The delegation includes Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Lualhati Antonino and Carandang.
The Pacquiao-Mosley fight is a boxing match for the WBO (World Boxing Organization) Welterweight Belt. (PCOO)
Thailand expresses keen interest in Public Private Partnership program
JAKARTA, Indonesia: The government of Thailand expressed keen interest in participating in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) program of the Philippines to share their experiences and knowledge in the said project.
In a press briefing here on Saturday following the opening ceremonies of the 18th Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Summit, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said that the Thai government showed interest in the project during President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Bilateral meeting with Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
“One of the key features of the bilateral with Thailand was when the Thai Prime Minister expressed interest in the PPP program of the Philippines…”, Almendras said.
“They have expressed interest in our PPP projects and they are telling us that they wanted to discuss it some more because they have some ideas and proposals on how PPP worked in other countries” he added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario for his part said this was the positive result of President Aquino’s bilateral meeting with his Thai counterpart.
Del Rosario said Thailand has a vast experience in PPP undertakings, a method they widely use to construct the extensive network of elevated roadways in its capital city Bangkok.
Del Rosario added that the Thai companies that built Bangkok’s world-class highway systems are now active in various international projects.
President Aquino welcomed the participation of Thai construction companies in the country’s infrastructure development through the PPP program. He gave them a list of potential PPP projects in the country.
“The Prime Minister of Thailand was very, very interested, he was literally asking what are the projects… what can we do. The bilateral meeting with Thailand was mostly about PPP… there is a lot of time spent expressing their PPP opportunities and how Thailand could come to the Philippines to invest and to share their own experience in PPP”, Almendras said. (PCOO)
JAKARTA, Indonesia: President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here Friday to join nine other leaders attending the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings from May 7 to 8 at the Jakarta Convention Center.
The Chief Executive, accompanied by a lean delegation, arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Military Airbase on board a chartered flight RP C6226 jet plane.
The delegation includes Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Secretary Lualhati Antonino, chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang.
Upon his arrival, the President and his delegation proceeded to the VVIP Room of the Sasana Manggala Praja Halim where they were received by Indonesian officials led by His Excellency Fadel Muhammad of the Indonesian Ministry for Fisheries; Ambassador Ahmad Rusdi, Chief of Internal Protocol; Mr. Simon Sukarno, Deputy Director of Protocol and Lt. Col. Slamet Leksono, close in security officer.
Also present were Philippine government officials including Ambassador Wilfrido Villacorta, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN; Ambassador Miguel Perez Rubio, Presidential Protocol chief and Maria Rosario Aguinaldo, Charge de Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta.
President Aquino awaits a busy schedule Saturday and Sunday at the culmination of the ASEAN Summit which has “ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations” for its theme.
During the event, the President will also be taking efforts to “emphasize” the priorities and initiatives to promote and develop a people-centered ASEAN through the ASEAN community’s three major pillars: political-security, economic and socio-cultural.
The President will also meet with his ASEAN counterparts to discuss the priority issues of ASEAN as it works towards building an ASEAN Community by 2015.
President Aquino is also expected to conduct several bilateral meetings with fellow ASEAN country leaders at the sidelight of the Summit.
Following the summit, the President is also attending the 7th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Leaders Summit at the same venue where he will have a chance to push for the development of the area as a prime eco-tourism destination through the promotion of community-based strategies such as infrastructure support and incentives for tourism marketing.
The BIMP-EAGA cooperation also aims to increase trade, tourism and investments with and outside the sub-region through the facilitation of free movement of people, goods, and services, make the best use of common infrastructure and natural resources and take the fullest advantage of economic complementation. (PCOO)
PHL underscores expediting ASEAN efforts for peace, stability, and economic competitiveness
JAKARTA, Indonesia: The Philippine government urged fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-member countries to step up their efforts to realize the goal of building an ASEAN Community that is peaceful, stable, economically competitive and people-oriented.
In a series of meetings held here Friday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario consistently emphasized the need for ASEAN to step up and expedite its work to reach its goal of promoting peace, stability and economic competitiveness in the whole ASEAN region considering the remaining four years from its target date of 2015.
Del Rosario participated in the 5th Meeting of the Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and the 8th Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) here yesterday in preparation for the 18th ASEAN Summit which formally opens Saturday, May 7.
The Philippine priorities in achieving ASEAN’s community-building goals by the year 2015 include the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Work Plan on Combating Illicit Drug Production, Trafficking and Use for 2009 to 2015 to achieve a Drug-Free ASEAN by 2015.
Del Rosario expressed the Philippines’ commitment to promote and protect human rights in ASEAN through the ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.
He also moved to pursue the completion of the guidelines on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) this year to commemorate 20 years of ASEAN-China strategic partnership.
The ASEAN Member States need closer coordination to promote and protect the welfare of its nationals caught in crisis situations given the peace and security situation in the Middle East and Africa.
He also urged multilateral and bilateral legal arrangements among ASEAN Member States, which is in accordance with the ASEAN plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime.
At the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), del Rosario underscored the enhancement of disaster management cooperation by improving coordination mechanisms and capacity building, such as the ARF
Del Rosario pushed for the full implementation of the APSC Communication Plan, which was adopted in 2010 to enhance awareness among the peoples in ASEAN ensure the promotion of peace and security in the region;
He urged, the preparation of an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking-in- Persons (ACTIP) as soon as possible as a mechanism to enhance ASEAN’s efforts in combating trafficking in persons.
The Philippines, as the lead shepherd on Trafficking in Persons, will host the “Experts’ Meeting to Study the Feasibility on Developing an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking-in-Persons” in June, and the 5th Senior Officials’ Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Working Group Meeting on TIP and the 20th Meeting of the Heads of Specialist Anti-Trafficking Units in July this year. (PCOO)
Yudhoyono proposes ASEAN food and energy security frameworks
JAKARTA, Indonesia: President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudyohono, chair of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit has proposed the establishment of ASEAN food and energy security frameworks that will help address the food and electricity requirements of the region in the coming years.
In his speech formally opening the 18th ASEAN Summit held at the Jakarta Convention Center here Saturday, the Indonesian Chief Executive acknowledged the challenges of food security and energy security.”
He said this “this global situation” will have the world population hitting the nine billion mark by 2045 forcing nations “face a competitive situation for scarce resources for their citizens’ daily needs.”
“The competition for energy, for food, and for clean water will become part of the global competition,” Yudyohono said.
He stressed the need for “clear and evident cooperation amongst ASEAN, with special emphasis on programs on securing food supply (and energy supply) for the people.”
Yudyohono said that, “one of the quick responses that we must take is establishing an ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework that is comprehensive, particularly in research and development.
“More specifically, we must attend to the formulation of a food reserves system in ASEAN and also one that (will) assist farmers from escaping poverty,” he added.
Of equal import, the Indonesian President said, “is the need to ensure energy security.”
He pointed out the need to find and develop sources of renewable energy “to increase the available supply of energy sources and reduce energy consumption that negatively impacts the environment.”
“Furthermore, the application of renewable energy and the implementation of the program of ASEAN Energy Efficiency and Conservation should promote the economic and social development in countries in ASEAN,” Yudyohono said.
He also pointed out the need to strengthen cooperation on renewable energy sources and alternative energy, including hydro and geothermal-power through the development of research centers and renewable energy (facilities) in our region.
“We must give serious attention and take concrete measures to address the soaring prices of food and energy which has negatively affected the prosperity of our people,” Yudyohono said. (PCOO)
PHL invites Thai oil company investment
JAKARTA, Indonesia: The Philippines has invited one of Thailand’s major oil players to invest in the country as part of government’s efforts to bring down the spiraling cost of this very important commodity.
Energy Secretary Jose Almendras told a press briefing at the sidelines of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here that the Philippines had extended its “invitation” to Thailand during the bilateral talks on Saturday morning.
“We met with the Trade Minister of Thailand and we presented our proposal which is: we are inviting PTT, a major petroleum company of Thailand to play a more active role in the retail market of petroleum in the Philippines,” Almendras said.
He pointed out that inviting PTT to put up fuel stations in the Philippines, may address “the disparity of fuel pricing between the Asians” by moving other fuel companies to price their commodities competitively.
“Recently we have proven that competition does enhance market,” Almendras said.
“It was on this basis that we made the invitation to the government of Thailand, through the Minister of Trade of Thailand to try to encourage more expansion, more investments and more participation of the Thai oil companies in the downstream oil distribution system network in the Philippines,” he added. (PCOO)
Aquino urges Thailand, Cambodia to resolve border dispute in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity
JAKARTA, Indonesia: President Benigno S. Aquino III has offered to help “in any way” to resolve the row between Thailand and Cambodia, Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario said Saturday.
Del Rosario said that the President offered his help during the plenary session following the opening ceremonies of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit being held here from May 7 to 8.
He said the President urged both countries to end the conflict and bring it to a peaceful resolution.
“The President expressed the desire of the Philippines to be of help in any way they can. And he has urged that the conflict be brought to a peaceful resolution in the spirit of ASEAN, brotherhood and solidarity,” Del Rosario said.
The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute began in June 2008 involving the area surrounding the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, located between the Choam Khsant district in the Preah Vihear province of northern Cambodia and the Kantharalak district (amphoe) in the Sisaket province of Northeastern Thailand. (PCOO)
Aquino fully supports Pacquiao’s boxing bout in Las Vegas
JAKARTA, Indonesia: President Benigno S. Aquino III fully supports Filipino boxing icon and eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao who is scheduled to exchange punches with American challenger Shane Mosley on May 7 (May 8, Manila time) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, USA.
In a press briefing following the opening ceremonies of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said that although President Aquino will not have the opportunity to personally watch the Pacquiao-Mosley fight, the Chief Executive overwhelmingly supports the Filipino Peoples’ Champ when he slugs it out above the ring with Mosley on Sunday.
“Unfortunately the ASEAN retreat session begins tomorrow morning and the President will not be able to watch the fight… but like everybody else, the President is going to pray and wish another victory for Manny Pacquiao,” Carandanag said “So we are one thousand percent behind Manny Pacquiao”, Carandang said.
President Aquino and a lean Philippine delegation are presently attending the two-day high-level meeting of leaders of the ten ASEAN-member countries here to discuss issues affecting the region.
The delegation includes Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Lualhati Antonino and Carandang.
The Pacquiao-Mosley fight is a boxing match for the WBO (World Boxing Organization) Welterweight Belt. (PCOO)
Thailand expresses keen interest in Public Private Partnership program
JAKARTA, Indonesia: The government of Thailand expressed keen interest in participating in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) program of the Philippines to share their experiences and knowledge in the said project.
In a press briefing here on Saturday following the opening ceremonies of the 18th Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Summit, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said that the Thai government showed interest in the project during President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Bilateral meeting with Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
“One of the key features of the bilateral with Thailand was when the Thai Prime Minister expressed interest in the PPP program of the Philippines…”, Almendras said.
“They have expressed interest in our PPP projects and they are telling us that they wanted to discuss it some more because they have some ideas and proposals on how PPP worked in other countries” he added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario for his part said this was the positive result of President Aquino’s bilateral meeting with his Thai counterpart.
Del Rosario said Thailand has a vast experience in PPP undertakings, a method they widely use to construct the extensive network of elevated roadways in its capital city Bangkok.
Del Rosario added that the Thai companies that built Bangkok’s world-class highway systems are now active in various international projects.
President Aquino welcomed the participation of Thai construction companies in the country’s infrastructure development through the PPP program. He gave them a list of potential PPP projects in the country.
“The Prime Minister of Thailand was very, very interested, he was literally asking what are the projects… what can we do. The bilateral meeting with Thailand was mostly about PPP… there is a lot of time spent expressing their PPP opportunities and how Thailand could come to the Philippines to invest and to share their own experience in PPP”, Almendras said. (PCOO)
