President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday announced that it allocated P24 million for President Benigno Aquino III’s attendance to conferences organized by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) from November 10 to 13.
Aquino, who left on Sunday morning via a chartered flight will join the 22nd Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting in China before heading to Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar for the 24th Asean Summit.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa said the meetings are meant to improve the regional and trade partnerships of the Philippines with its neighbor countries.
The P24 million includes travel, accommodations and food expenses, in addition to equipment and other requirements.
“It is also important to note that in this particular conference in Beijing, China is anticipated to turn over the Apec chairmanship to the Philippines as we host the Apec Summit next year,” the secretary said in a statement.
Before leaving the country, Aquino vowed to secure investments for the country by maximizing the current growth of the economy.
“Ang layon natin: lalong maging maugong sa mundo ang magagandang balita mula sa Pilipinas, at umangat pa ang kanilang kompiyansa sa ating ekonomiya,” he said.
(Our aim: for the world to learn the good news from the Philippines and for their confidence in our economy to rise.)
Joining him are his Cabinet members including Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Those who will accompany the President only in China are Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Social Secretary Susan Arnaiz while Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. will join him in Myanmar.
In addition to the Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing, Aquino will attend the Apec CEO Summit, organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and meet with the Apec Business Advisory Council.
He will then meet with the Asean leaders and the Asean Business Advisory Council in Myanmar.
Among the events he will attend are the launch of the Asean Communication Master Plan and the Asean Institute of Green Growth Economy.
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