Prime Minister Harper of Canada leads
wreath-laying rites at Rizal Monument in Manila
Canadian
Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid his respects to the country's national hero,
Dr. Jose P. Rizal on the second day of his official visit to the Philippines
which is aimed at further strengthening the long-standing bilateral relations
between the two countries.
In simple
yet solemn ceremonies, Prime Minister Harper led the wreathlaying ceremonies at
the foot of the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, Manila where he was welcomed by
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis
Tolentino, and Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Alexander
Pama, the event’s military host.
The
Canadian leader was accompanied by his wife Laureen Harper and other members of
his official delegation.
Prime
Minister Harper arrived in Manila on Friday evening for a three-day official
visit. Also part of his official delegation were Canadian Minister for
International Trade Ed Fast, Minister for Natural Resources Joseph Oliver,
Senator Tobias Enverga Jr., who is the first Filipino-Canadian senator, and 10
Filipino-Canadian community leaders.
The Prime
Minister’s visit to the country is the highest-level visit of a Canadian
official in the last 15 years. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said
that the last Canadian leader to visit the country was Prime Minister Jean
Chretien who brought a business delegation in the country in 1997.
Canada is
one o the most active trading partners of the Philippines which is considered
as the major source of its immigrants and overseas workers. To date, there are
at least 800,000 Filipinos residing in Canada.
Following
the wreath-laying ceremonies, Prime Minister Harper was set to meet with
President Benigno S. Aquino III and members of the Cabinet to discuss the
“upward trajectory” of the Philippines-Canada bilateral relations which was
established back in 1949.
The two
leaders are also scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding between the
Department of National Defense and the Canadian Commercial Cooperation on
government-to-government transactions in defense and military-related
procurements.
Prime
Minister Harper is on the second leg of an Asian trip following his visit in
India. His group will be leaving on Sunday morning for Hong Kong. PND
(jcl/11:00 a.m.)
President Aquino welcomes visiting Prime
Minister Harper of Canada to Malacanang
President
Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
with arrival honors in Malacañang on Saturday.
A 19-gun
salute was rendered to officially honor Prime Minister Harper’s visit during
the playing of the national anthems of both countries.
Canadian
Prime Minister Harper, who is in Manila for a three-day official visit, arrived
at the Malacañang Palace grounds at around 10:30 a.m.
Other
members of the Cabinet who joined President Aquino in welcoming Prime Minister
Harper and his wife included Foreign Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, Finance
Secretary Cesar Purisima, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon
Soliman, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Arsenio Balisacan, Metropolitan
Manila Development Chairman Francis Tolentino, Presidential Spokesman Edwin
Lacierda, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio
“Sonny” Coloma Jr., and among others.
The
President then ushered Harper, who was accompanied by his wife Laureen Harper,
into Malacañang Palace for the traditional signing of the Palace Guest Book.
The visit
of Prime Minister Harper marks the highest-level visit of a Canadian official
in the last 15 years. In 1997, then Prime Minister Jean Chretien brought a
business delegation to the Philippines.
In an
earlier statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the two heads
of government are expected to discuss the upward trajectory of
Philippines-Canada bilateral relations. Among the issues that are expected to
be on the table are the deepening of people-to-people ties, increasing commercial
relations, and progress in the governance agenda of the Aquino Administration.
President
Aquino and Prime Minister Harper may also discuss the gains in the Philippine
peace process, particularly the newly signed Bangsamoro Framework Agreement,
the DFA said.
During
the visit, President Aquino and Prime Minister Harper will also witness the
signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine
Department of National Defense and the Canadian Commercial Cooperation on
government-to-government transactions in defense and military-related
procurements.
The MOU
will ensure the smooth and expeditious procurement transactions with the
Canadian government’s assurance on the quality of equipment from and compliance
with procurement contracts by Canadian companies. PND (js)
President Aquino fetes visiting Prime Minister
Harper of Canada to a luncheon at Malacanang Palace
President
Benigno S. Aquino III hosted a luncheon for visiting Canadian Prime Minister
Stephen Harper in Malacanang on Saturday as he expressed hope that the Canadian
leader's visit would further strengthen the relations between the two
countries.
In his
message during the luncheon at Malacanang, the President said that despite the
limited contacts between the two countries in previous years, the Philippines
and Canada were able to achieve and maintain their strong relations.
The last
time a Canadian leader visited the Philippines was in 1997, the President said.
The
President noted that when his late mother, former President Cory Aquino assumed
office in 1986, Canada was one of the first countries that supported the post
martial law era leadership. He added that President Cory Aquino was also the
first Philippine president who made an official visit to Canada.
According
to the President, Canada is a consistent Philippine partner through the years
most importantly in people-to-people exchanges.
“Excellency, we in the Philippine government
welcome this chance to deepen our engagement between our countries,” he stressed.
“There is
much that we can do together for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” the
President said adding that both countries could develop stronger ties
particularly in defense and trade and investment.
In
response, Prime Minister Harper said he hopes for another visit of Canadian
leaders in the Philippines in the future as he acknowledged the importance of
the Philippines and the Asian region in the long term plans of Canada.
The
Canadian leader noted that at present, Asia is bringing prosperity and hope for
mankind.
“That is
why we are here and we are so determined to continue to build upon various
aspects of our relations,” Harper said stressing that part of their visit to
the country is to recognize the importance of people-to-people relationships
between Canada and the Philippines.
He told
the President that the Filipino Canadian community is the fastest growing
community in Canada.
Prime
Minister Harper also said that presence of Filipinos in Canada is extraordinary
because they spread liberally in Canada and they can be found even in the
farthest and remotest areas.
People-to-people relationship is a tremendous
development for Philippine-Canadian relations, Harper said. In this connection,
the Canadian leader underscores the need for both countries to capitalize on
this relationship in order to create stronger trade and investment ties.
Prime
Minister Harper also extended his best wishes to the Aquino family notably
their significant contributions for Philippine democracy and development.
Harper
and his delegation arrived in the Philippines Friday evening and they are
expected to go back to Canada Sunday morning. PND (as/1:41pm)
Philippines, Canada sign Memorandum of
Understanding on defense cooperation
The
Philippines and Canada signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense
cooperation Saturday during the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
to the Philippines.
President
Benigno S. Aquino III and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper witnessed the
signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Government-to-Government
Transaction in Defense and Military-related Equipment, Materials and System
and/or Services in Malacanang Saturday.
Defense
Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Canadian Minister of International Trade Ed Fast
signed the MOU.
In his
statement during the joint press conference, President Aquino said he hopes
that the memorandum of understanding on defense and procurement of military
equipment would help the country’s efforts in building its defense and security
capabilities.
The
President said his meeting with Prime Minister Harper and his delegation was
very fruitful expressing his optimism that their engagement will continue to
expand in the coming years and will remain beneficial to both countries and to
the whole Asia Pacific region.
President
Aquino said the fundamental issue on the country’s military capabilities is
that it has a lot of outmoded equipment that needs to be modernized.
For
instance, the Philippines needs additional modern ships or patrol vessels to
guard 36,000 kilometers of coastline within its 200-mile economic zone.
Currently, the Philippines has 132 ships,
mostly from the World War II era and even older, he said stressing the
country’s extreme need for more patrol vessels.
The same
is true with the country’s air force and its airlift capabilities, according to
the President said. He said that at present, the air force has only two C-130
cargo planes that serve as its work horse and additional planes must be added
to its inventory.
Because
of the MOU, the Philippines can have access to the expertise and skills from
Canada with great value for money to satisfy the legitimate needs for military
equipment, the President said.
The Chief
Executive said that aside from having stronger defense cooperation, he hopes
the Philippines and Canada improve trade and investment for the benefit of the
two countries.
Harper
arrived in Manila Friday evening and is expected to return to Canada Sunday
morning. PND (as/2:14pm)
Aquino discusses labor, trade with Canadian
Prime Minister Harper
President
Benigno S. Aquino III said he has discussed several issues during his meeting
with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper such as labor cooperation, Mindanao
development and trade and investment.
In his statement
during the joint press conference, President Aquino said that given the large
number of overseas Filipinos migrant workers in Canada, the government has an
obligation to guarantee their protection and welfare and to ensure that they
follow Canadian labor requirements.
The
presence of an estimated 800,000 Filipinos in Canada compels the Philippine
government to work closely with the Canadian authorities, the President said.
This
number represents about 10 percent of the 10 million Filipinos living or
working overseas, the President noted.
Aside
from tackling labor and mobility, the President said they also talked about
increasing trade and investment ties between the two countries.
“Canada
recognizes the economic gains resulting from our commitment to good governance,
integrity, and transparency, manifested in the reforms we are implementing in
the Philippines. We look forward to increasing trade and investment with
Canada,” he said.
The
Philippines is open for business under his management, according to the
President and Harper’s visit is recognition of the change of atmosphere in the
Philippines.
Things
that hindered the development of Philippine-Canada ties in the past, under the
new leadership, it will cease to exist, he said.
“We are
very optimistic of growth not only in more people-to-people ties, but more
importantly, perhaps, in trade and business opportunities that will redound to
the benefits of both our people,” the President said during the joint press
conference.
Also, the
Canadian Prime Minister expressed optimism over the Bangsamoro Framework
agreement, as the Canadian leader relayed his commitment to support the peace
process in Mindanao. Canada is one of the Philippines’ partners in promoting
peace and development in Mindanao.
Harper
and his delegation arrived in the Philippines Friday night and they are
expected to return to Canada Sunday morning. PND (as/2:45pm)
