Aquino declares May 28 as special non-working
day in Imus, Cavite in celebration of National Flag Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared May
28 which falls on a Monday as a special (non-working) day in the municipality
of Imus in the province of Cavite in celebration of the anniversary of the
Battle of Alapan, also known as the National Flag Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 373 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on April 27, 2012 to give the people of Imus the full opportunity to celebrate
and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
The Philippine Revolutionary Army led by General
Emilio Aguinaldo defeated the Spanish forces in the Battle of Alapan on May 28,
1898. It was also the first time when the Philippine National Flag was hoisted
at Teatro Caviteno in Cavite City. (PCOO)
Laos Prime Minister arrives for a two-day
official visit
Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong of the Lao
People’s Democratic Republic arrived in the country Thursday afternoon for a
two-day official visit.
Thongsing was accorded military honors at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2. Among those who welcomed the
Laos leader were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and airport
officials.
Later in the afternoon, the Laos prime minister
will meet with President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacanang for a courtesy
call and for an expanded bilateral meeting.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA), President Aquino and Thongsing “will discuss bilateral cooperation and
partnerships in promoting people-to-people and institutional exchanges.”
An official dinner in honor of the visiting Laos
leader will be hosted by the President at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall on Thursday.
This is Thongsing’s first visit to the
Philippines as prime minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (or
Laos). His visit to the country is upon the invitation of President Aquino.
The two leaders will also exchange views on
regional issues involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)
and the Asia-Europe Meeting, the DFA said.
Thongsing is scheduled to visit the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on Friday morning and meet with
the officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the
afternoon. He will also meet with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
According to the DFA, the two countries, which
currently focus on integrating their economies and cultures, have been enjoying
57 years of bilateral relations. (PCOO)
Aquino witnesses signing of agreements between
Phl and Lao People’s Democratic Republic
President Benigno S. Aquino III witnessed the
signing of four agreements between the Philippines and Lao People’s Democratic
Republic in ceremonies held in Malacañang on Thursday.
The agreements, which covered the areas of
trade, education, foreign service and sports cooperation, were signed during
the official two-day visit of Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong to the
Philippines.
The first agreement is a Memorandum of
Understanding between the Foreign Service Institute of the Department of
Foreign Affairs and the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of Laos which aims
to establish linkages and strengthen cooperation between the FSI and IFA as
well as provide for the exchanges of information relating to their respective
programs and seminars and on developments in the fields of diplomacy,
international relations and political science.
The agreement was signed by Foreign Affairs
Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign
Affairs Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith.
The second agreement is a Memorandum of
Understanding between the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Ministry
of Education and Sports of Laos for sports development on the basis of
reciprocity and mutual benefit.
This was signed by PSC chairman Ricardo Garcia
and Vice Minister Sengdeuane Lachantaboune of the Ministry of Education and
Sports.
The third agreement is the Memorandum of
Understanding between the University of the Philippines in Los Baños and the
National University of Laos to develop academic and education cooperation and
promote mutual understanding between the two universities.
It was signed by UPLB Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz
and Vice Minister Sengdeuane Lachantaboune.
The last agreement, the Cooperation Agreement
between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Lao
National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), was signed by PCCI president
Miguel Varela and Philippine-Lao Business Council chairman Antonio Chua; and
Kisaana Vongsay, president of the LNCCI and Daovone Phachanthavong, chairman of
the Lao-Philippine Business Council.
The agreement is aimed at strengthening the
economic and trade ties between the two countries.
Aside from calling on President Aquino,
Thongsing is scheduled to visit the International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) on Friday morning and meet with the officials of the Philippine Chamber
of Commerce and Industry in the afternoon. He will also meet with Senate
President Juan Ponce Enrile.
According to the DFA, the two countries, that
are currently focused on integrating their economies and cultures, have been
enjoying 57 years of bilateral relations. (PCOO)
