Substantive portion of ASEAN China fund for Ph evidence China trip a success – President Aquino
SHANGHAI,China (via PLDT) – President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday that his trip to the People’s Republic of China has been very successful and has exceeded his expectations as evidenced by the substantive portion of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) China Fund that has been set aside for the Philippines.
The ASEAN China Investment Fund is a private equity fund that provides capital for small and medium sized enterprises located within ASEAN and the People’s Republic of China. The Swiss Government, the Asian Development Bank and United Overseas Bank are among the sponsors/investors of this fund.
“Yung Asean-China Fund for example, nakakagulat na napakalaki 'nung nilalaan nila, itinatabi para sa Pilipinas. Medyo significant portion of that fund ito,” the President said.
He surmised that the keepers of the fund had found favorable the various programs the government has been implementing with the help of the local and international community to uplift the lives of Filipinos.
“Syempre, kung mapakita nating worthwhile 'yung investment nilang ginawa, palagay ko 'yung susunod dadagdagan pa nila 'yung endowment doon. So kung maganda 'yung resulta doon…at parang naka-concentrate sa atin, palagay ko mame-maintain natin 'yung share doon sa fund na 'yon,” the President said.
He refrained to give an estimate of how much the ASEAN China Fund would give to the Philippines but said it would more than 10 percent of the fund which has already reached $1-billion. (PCOO)
Aquino embarks on a spiritual visit as he retraces roots in Hongjian village
XIAMEN, China: President Benigno S. Aquino III will have the opportunity to reconnect with his roots when he arrives here on Saturday (September 2).
The President, who is expected to arrive at the Gaoqi Airport on board a Philippine Airlines Commercial Flight PR 001 here from Shanghai, is expected to visit the hometown of his ancestors in Honjian village, located in the township of Jiaomel, Longhai City, Zhangzhou municipality, Fujian province.
The President's late mother, former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino is a fourth-generation Filipino-Chinese descended from Co Yu Hwan, a Chinese immigrant from Hongjian village who settled in the Philippines in 1861.
According to a fact sheet released by the Philippine Embassy here, Co (the Chinese character for his surname is read as "Xu" in the national language Mandarin, while "Co" or "Kho" is the way the same character is pronounced in the southern Fujian dialect or Minnan Hua also known as Hokkien) converted to Roman Catholicism in the Philippines and was then baptized as Jose Cojuangco, the surname Cojuangco being an amalgamation of his Chinese Hokien name, Co Yu Hwan.
It added that Jose's son Melecio Cojuangco (born in 1871) married another Filipino-Chinese named Tiakla Chico in 1894 and among their children was Jose Cojuangco, Jr., father to the late former President Corazon C. Aquino, who is the mother of now President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Hongjian is a sleepy village and home to about 1,700 residents with the surname Xu or Co. It is less than half an hour’s drive from the bustling metropolis of the island of Xiamen.
During his visit to the village President Aquino, together with the members of the official delegation, is expected to lead the lighting of incense at the ancestral temple of the Xu (Co) clan.
He is likewise expected to view the photo exhibit of his late mother's visit to Hongjian village and view the araucaria tree planted by President Cory Aquino in 1988.
It can be recalled that in 1988 when President Cory Aquino visited the Hongjian village, she planted an araucaria tree (a genus of coniferous evergreen) to commemorate her historical visit there. She also lighted incense at the altar of the Ancestral Temple of the Xu (Co) clan.
Before the President leaves the Hongjian village for Manila he is also expected to plant a tree about 50 meters away from the spot where President Cory planted the araucaria tree.
After the tree planting activity, the President will deliver his message.
From here, President Aquino will fly back to Manila.(PCOO)
Aquino declares Sept. 5 – Oct 5 every year as ‘National Teachers’ Month'
President Benigno S. Aquino III declared the period from September 5 to October 5 of every year as National Teachers’ Month.
Proclamation No. 242 was signed on August 24, 2011 by Executive Secretary Paquito N. OchoaJr. “to revitalize the image of teaching as a vocation by increasing public awareness on the value of teachers in Philippine society and national development.”
The President noted that, “the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated October 5 of every year as World Teachers’ Day, which is a day to celebrate the central role that teachers play in guiding the children, youth and adults through the life-long learning process.”
President Aquino underscored the need to generate widespread awareness and support for World Teachers’ Day here in the Philippines.
He said the occasion can be used to celebrate the unique role and service that teachers play in guiding families, strengthening communities, and building the nation.
“To contribute to the growth and development of the teaching profession in the country as well as to publicly express appreciation to teachers, both active and retired, a Teachers’ Month Campaign (TMC) was conceived in July 2008 by the Metrobank Foundation,Inc. (MBFI), De la Salle Philippines (DSLP), Philippine Business for Education(PBEd), and Campaigns Social Response (CSR), with the special participation of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the support of key business institutions,” the President said.
The President said the campaign has generated more support from government, private companies, and major organizations in 2009 and 2010. He issued on October 1, 2010 Presidential Proclamation No. 41 declaring the first Friday of September to October 5, 2010as National Teachers’ Month.
With thesigning of Proclamation 242, the country will now observe the NationalTeachers’ Month every year.
The President also enjoined all concerned departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, various local government units, private sector and the public to actively participate and support activities and programs for the celebration of the occasion.
Upon recommendation by the TMC Steering Committee, the President also endorsed the recitation of the National Prayer for Teachers during the National Teachers’ Month. (PCOO)
Aquino arrives in Xiamen
XIAMEN, China --- President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here Saturday on board the Philippine Airlines Special Commercial Flight PR 001 on the final leg of his five-day state visit, three city swing to the People's Republic of China.
The Chief Executive, accompanied by some of his Cabinet members together with a powerhouse Philippine business delegation, planed in at exactly 10:00 am at the Xiamen GAOQI Airport from Shanghai.
As soon as the President disembarked from the plane, he was welcomed by Chinese officials led by Jie Xu, vice Governor of the Fujian province; Liu Ke Qing, mayor of Xiamen City; Wu hong Qin, mayor of Zhangzhou City; Hong Cheng Zong, director general of the Xiamen City Foreign Affairs Office; and Lin Xiu Zhen, director general of the Zhangzhou City Foreign Affairs Office.
XIAMEN, China --- President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here Saturday on board the Philippine Airlines Special Commercial Flight PR 001 on the final leg of his five-day state visit, three city swing to the People's Republic of China.
The Chief Executive, accompanied by some of his Cabinet members together with a powerhouse Philippine business delegation, planed in at exactly 10:00 am at the Xiamen GAOQI Airport from Shanghai.
As soon as the President disembarked from the plane, he was welcomed by Chinese officials led by Jie Xu, vice Governor of the Fujian province; Liu Ke Qing, mayor of Xiamen City; Wu hong Qin, mayor of Zhangzhou City; Hong Cheng Zong, director general of the Xiamen City Foreign Affairs Office; and Lin Xiu Zhen, director general of the Zhangzhou City Foreign Affairs Office.
A;so on hand to welcome the President were Philippine Embassy officiales in Xiamen headed by Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz and Consul Ambrosio Brian Enciso III.
The President and his delegation proceeded to the Yeohwa Hotel where he stayed for the duration of his visit here.
At the hotel, the President was received by its General Manager and Philippine consulate officials.
The President and his delegation proceeded to the Yeohwa Hotel where he stayed for the duration of his visit here.
At the hotel, the President was received by its General Manager and Philippine consulate officials.
During his visit, President Aquino. met with the officials of Fujian and Xiamen who will call on him at the hotel's Ling Yun Pavilion, International Conference Room.
After the courtesy call, the President addressed the Philippine-Fujian Economic Forum and attended the luncheon banquet hosted by the leaders of the Fujian province.
Prior to his departure for Manila, President Aquino visited the Hongjian village located in the township of Jiaomei, Longhai City Zhangzhou municipality in Fujian province.
After the welcome ceremonies shortly after his arrival in the area, the President and his delegation watched a cultural presentation.
While in the Hongjian village, the President viewed a photo exhibit of his late mother, former President Corazon C. Aquino's visit to Hongjian village.
He went to view the araucaria tree which was planted by President Cory Aquino. Before his speech President Aquino plant a tree 50 meters away from President Cory's araucaria tree.(PCOO)
President Aquino sets foot in his ancestors' village
HONGJIAN VILLAGE, Fujian Province -- A rousing welcome greeted President Benigno S. Aquino III, the grandson of the Fujian province, as he sets foot right in the land of his ancestors during his visit on Saturday at the Hongjian village here.
Distant relatives and more than a hundred Filipino overseas workers comprising the Filipino community here waving little Philippines and China flags were on hand to welcome him as he alighted from his black presidential limousine. All were agog to see for themselves the President in person.
The President was welcomed by local officials of Fujian province. After the welcome presentation, President Aquino, accompanied by his Cabinet men and Philippine business delegation, walked to the Ancestral Temple where he lighted incense.
He then briefly met and greeted members of the Xu (Co) clan and then proceeded to the Senior Citizen's Activity Center to sign the Guest Book and view the photo exhibit of his mother, the late former President Corazon C. Aquino's visit to Hongjian village in 1988.
The President likewise went to the spot where his mother planted an araucaria tree some two decades and three years ago. Likewise, the Chief Executive later planted a tree 50 meters away from his mother’s araucana.
In his speech after the ceremonies, President Aquino expressed his gratitude to the people of Hongjian village for the honor they continue to give his late mother.
"Today, a seed planted by your forefathers far away has come back to sit in the shade of the ancestral tree. It is an honor to see the Ancestral Hall of the family Xu and to see the tree my mother planted twenty-three years ago," the President said.
"I cannot help but recall the gracious words of Premier Wu: the tree your mother planted has flourished and put in deep roots," he stressed adding that "we are in a place steeped in memory and tradition, and rich in legends that continue to tie us together."
It is widely known that the late President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino is a fourth-generation Filipino-Chinese descended from Co Yu Hwan a Chinese immigrant from Hongjian village who settled in the Philippines in 1861.
The President also expressed elation over the soon-to-be finished Sino-Philippines Friendship Memorial Hall in a park that will be dedicated to her memory.
According to the President, before he arrived in the village, he was told that years ago, on its own, this tree split in two.
"Nature has its own laws and surely this natural phenomenon was not a prophecy—for I never aspired to reach the same heights and achieve the same success as my mother. And yet, by the will of my people, I stand here in the same position she occupied—as President of the Philippines—bearing the same responsibility she had -- to change peoples’ lives for the better," the President declared.
The President likewise said that when asked by people when he was in Beijing and Shanghai how he felt about coming to the village, he would tell them that he wanted to see the land where so many successful Filipino Chinese come from.
"I wanted to see the landscape that gave birth to so many who braved long journeys, to settle in a foreign land, to build families, homes, and successful enterprises. Their success brought not only prosperity, but honor to their kinsmen, whether in the Philippines or China," he said.
"Ours, then, are not only ties of family and blood, they are ties of shared virtues: of hard work, study, loyalty, dedication, and empathy. Our ties are relationships that have transcended kilometers, generations, and borders because they are built on shared principles,"
The President thanked people of Hongjian including all "his distant cousins, aunts, and uncles—for their warm welcome, and for being among the many who give me the strength to carry on and succeed."
"Allow me to give you a parting gift—memorabilia from my mother as a reminder to all of us, as well as future generations, of the ties of history that bind us together; of the strong and centuries-old relationship between the Philippines, Hongjian village, and the Fujian province," he said.
"I leave to your care this tree that I have planted. May its roots also be deep, and may our kinsmen one day enjoy rest under the shade of what we have planted, as you and I have enjoyed the shade of what my mother planted in her time.(PCOO)
Aquino arrives home from a very successful state visit to the People’s Republic of China
President Benigno S. Aquino III bared the billions-of-dollars-worth of new investments for the country, the signing of agreements between the two countries and the peaceful resolution of issues in the West Philippine Sea as part of the positive developments from his successful State Visit to the People’s Republic of China.
In his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City, Saturday evening (September 3), the President said that following a series of economic meetings in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen, where they presented Chinese businessmen the possible fields of investments, various business groups expressed confidence and interest in investing in the country.
“Kasama ang ating mga economic managers, inilatag natin ang ilang business opportunities sa Pilipinas sa larangan ng agrikultura, imprastruktura, enerhiya at turismo, at nakita ng dalawang pamahalaan ang magandang maidudulot ng patuloy na paghahanap ng mga pagkakataon para mamuhunan sa atin ang mga taga-Tsina,” President Aquino said.
“Sa pagbisita nating ito, kung saan pinaunlakan natin ang tatlumpu’t anim (36) na mga pagpupulong at pagsasalu-salo, nakamit natin ang 1.282 billion dollars na halaga ng mga bagong investments na papasok sa ating bansa mula sa Tsina. Dagdag pa po dyan, tinatayang 3.8 billion dollars ang halaga ng mga halos tiyak nang mga investments, at hindi bababa sa 7.9 billion dollars naman ang tinatayang halaga ng mga investments mula sa mga korporasyong nagpahiwatig ng matinding interes na mamuhunan sa ating bansa,” the President added.
The Chief Executive said that during his first visit to China, he discussed with Chinese President Hu Jintao the ways how to further strengthen the ties between the two countries, and they agreed on the approval of several agreements.
Such agreements include the signing of Memoranda of Understandings between both countries in the fields of trade, economic and technical cooperation, tourism, media, sports, culture and information.
“Patunay ito na sa napakaraming mga larangan, magkasundo ang Pilipinas at ang People’s Republic of China, at pareho ang mga adhikain ng dalawang pamahalaan,” the Chief Executive noted.
The two leaders also agreed to exert efforts that aim to reach the target of two million tourist arrivals in both countries by the year 2016.
“Ang mga taong 2012 at 2013 ay nakatakdang maging Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges. Ikinagalak namin ni President Hu ang paglampas sa one-million mark ng two-way tourist arrivals, at napagkasunduan naming subuking abutin na makamit ang 2 million tourist arrivals sa atin pong mga bansa sa taong 2016,” President Aquino said.
Apart from tourism, President Aquino further said that the two countries agreed to strengthen the bilateral trade by reaching the target of 60 billion dollars for total two-way trade in the year 2016.
President Aquino said that also part of the “good news” from the State Visit is the harmonious and friendly exchange of views for the resolution of the disputes concerning the islands in the West Philippine Sea.
“Tungkol sa West Philippine Sea, nananabik po akong ibalita: naging makabuluhan at matiwasay ang pagpapalitan natin ng pananaw sa kanila sa kung papaano maisusulong at mapagkakasunduan ang mga hindi pagkakaunawaan ng dalawang panig sa usaping ito,” the President said.
“Ang mas maganda pa pong balita rito, tugma ang pananaw natin sa kanila sa kahalagahang mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa lugar na ito; handa rin silang makipagtulungan sa pagpapatupad ng ASEAN Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” he added.
The President also noted the successful Filipinos who contributed to the economic development of China. Their successes were in the various fields of profession including engineering, teaching, and music and media practice, among others.
Arriving with the President were Cabinet officials that include Finance Secretary Cezar Purisima, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo.
Also part of the President’s business delegation were some 250 Filipino-Chinese businessmen who took part in pushing for the country’s economic development during the trip.
Part of the reception party who received the President were high-ranking government officials led by Vice President Jejomar Binay and members of the Cabinet that include Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”Coloma, Commission on Higher Education Secretary Patricia Licuanan, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Economic Development Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr., Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Delez, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Science and Technology Secretary MarioMontejo, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino. (PCOO)
HONGJIAN VILLAGE, Fujian Province -- A rousing welcome greeted President Benigno S. Aquino III, the grandson of the Fujian province, as he sets foot right in the land of his ancestors during his visit on Saturday at the Hongjian village here.
Distant relatives and more than a hundred Filipino overseas workers comprising the Filipino community here waving little Philippines and China flags were on hand to welcome him as he alighted from his black presidential limousine. All were agog to see for themselves the President in person.
The President was welcomed by local officials of Fujian province. After the welcome presentation, President Aquino, accompanied by his Cabinet men and Philippine business delegation, walked to the Ancestral Temple where he lighted incense.
He then briefly met and greeted members of the Xu (Co) clan and then proceeded to the Senior Citizen's Activity Center to sign the Guest Book and view the photo exhibit of his mother, the late former President Corazon C. Aquino's visit to Hongjian village in 1988.
The President likewise went to the spot where his mother planted an araucaria tree some two decades and three years ago. Likewise, the Chief Executive later planted a tree 50 meters away from his mother’s araucana.
In his speech after the ceremonies, President Aquino expressed his gratitude to the people of Hongjian village for the honor they continue to give his late mother.
"Today, a seed planted by your forefathers far away has come back to sit in the shade of the ancestral tree. It is an honor to see the Ancestral Hall of the family Xu and to see the tree my mother planted twenty-three years ago," the President said.
"I cannot help but recall the gracious words of Premier Wu: the tree your mother planted has flourished and put in deep roots," he stressed adding that "we are in a place steeped in memory and tradition, and rich in legends that continue to tie us together."
It is widely known that the late President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino is a fourth-generation Filipino-Chinese descended from Co Yu Hwan a Chinese immigrant from Hongjian village who settled in the Philippines in 1861.
The President also expressed elation over the soon-to-be finished Sino-Philippines Friendship Memorial Hall in a park that will be dedicated to her memory.
According to the President, before he arrived in the village, he was told that years ago, on its own, this tree split in two.
"Nature has its own laws and surely this natural phenomenon was not a prophecy—for I never aspired to reach the same heights and achieve the same success as my mother. And yet, by the will of my people, I stand here in the same position she occupied—as President of the Philippines—bearing the same responsibility she had -- to change peoples’ lives for the better," the President declared.
The President likewise said that when asked by people when he was in Beijing and Shanghai how he felt about coming to the village, he would tell them that he wanted to see the land where so many successful Filipino Chinese come from.
"I wanted to see the landscape that gave birth to so many who braved long journeys, to settle in a foreign land, to build families, homes, and successful enterprises. Their success brought not only prosperity, but honor to their kinsmen, whether in the Philippines or China," he said.
"Ours, then, are not only ties of family and blood, they are ties of shared virtues: of hard work, study, loyalty, dedication, and empathy. Our ties are relationships that have transcended kilometers, generations, and borders because they are built on shared principles,"
The President thanked people of Hongjian including all "his distant cousins, aunts, and uncles—for their warm welcome, and for being among the many who give me the strength to carry on and succeed."
"Allow me to give you a parting gift—memorabilia from my mother as a reminder to all of us, as well as future generations, of the ties of history that bind us together; of the strong and centuries-old relationship between the Philippines, Hongjian village, and the Fujian province," he said.
"I leave to your care this tree that I have planted. May its roots also be deep, and may our kinsmen one day enjoy rest under the shade of what we have planted, as you and I have enjoyed the shade of what my mother planted in her time.(PCOO)
Aquino arrives home from a very successful state visit to the People’s Republic of China
President Benigno S. Aquino III bared the billions-of-dollars-worth of new investments for the country, the signing of agreements between the two countries and the peaceful resolution of issues in the West Philippine Sea as part of the positive developments from his successful State Visit to the People’s Republic of China.
In his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City, Saturday evening (September 3), the President said that following a series of economic meetings in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen, where they presented Chinese businessmen the possible fields of investments, various business groups expressed confidence and interest in investing in the country.
“Kasama ang ating mga economic managers, inilatag natin ang ilang business opportunities sa Pilipinas sa larangan ng agrikultura, imprastruktura, enerhiya at turismo, at nakita ng dalawang pamahalaan ang magandang maidudulot ng patuloy na paghahanap ng mga pagkakataon para mamuhunan sa atin ang mga taga-Tsina,” President Aquino said.
“Sa pagbisita nating ito, kung saan pinaunlakan natin ang tatlumpu’t anim (36) na mga pagpupulong at pagsasalu-salo, nakamit natin ang 1.282 billion dollars na halaga ng mga bagong investments na papasok sa ating bansa mula sa Tsina. Dagdag pa po dyan, tinatayang 3.8 billion dollars ang halaga ng mga halos tiyak nang mga investments, at hindi bababa sa 7.9 billion dollars naman ang tinatayang halaga ng mga investments mula sa mga korporasyong nagpahiwatig ng matinding interes na mamuhunan sa ating bansa,” the President added.
The Chief Executive said that during his first visit to China, he discussed with Chinese President Hu Jintao the ways how to further strengthen the ties between the two countries, and they agreed on the approval of several agreements.
Such agreements include the signing of Memoranda of Understandings between both countries in the fields of trade, economic and technical cooperation, tourism, media, sports, culture and information.
“Patunay ito na sa napakaraming mga larangan, magkasundo ang Pilipinas at ang People’s Republic of China, at pareho ang mga adhikain ng dalawang pamahalaan,” the Chief Executive noted.
The two leaders also agreed to exert efforts that aim to reach the target of two million tourist arrivals in both countries by the year 2016.
“Ang mga taong 2012 at 2013 ay nakatakdang maging Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges. Ikinagalak namin ni President Hu ang paglampas sa one-million mark ng two-way tourist arrivals, at napagkasunduan naming subuking abutin na makamit ang 2 million tourist arrivals sa atin pong mga bansa sa taong 2016,” President Aquino said.
Apart from tourism, President Aquino further said that the two countries agreed to strengthen the bilateral trade by reaching the target of 60 billion dollars for total two-way trade in the year 2016.
President Aquino said that also part of the “good news” from the State Visit is the harmonious and friendly exchange of views for the resolution of the disputes concerning the islands in the West Philippine Sea.
“Tungkol sa West Philippine Sea, nananabik po akong ibalita: naging makabuluhan at matiwasay ang pagpapalitan natin ng pananaw sa kanila sa kung papaano maisusulong at mapagkakasunduan ang mga hindi pagkakaunawaan ng dalawang panig sa usaping ito,” the President said.
“Ang mas maganda pa pong balita rito, tugma ang pananaw natin sa kanila sa kahalagahang mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa lugar na ito; handa rin silang makipagtulungan sa pagpapatupad ng ASEAN Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” he added.
The President also noted the successful Filipinos who contributed to the economic development of China. Their successes were in the various fields of profession including engineering, teaching, and music and media practice, among others.
Arriving with the President were Cabinet officials that include Finance Secretary Cezar Purisima, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo.
Also part of the President’s business delegation were some 250 Filipino-Chinese businessmen who took part in pushing for the country’s economic development during the trip.
Part of the reception party who received the President were high-ranking government officials led by Vice President Jejomar Binay and members of the Cabinet that include Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”Coloma, Commission on Higher Education Secretary Patricia Licuanan, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Economic Development Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr., Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Delez, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Science and Technology Secretary MarioMontejo, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino. (PCOO)
