Mexican First Lady in Manila for 2-day special visit

MANILA, Philippines - Mexican First Lady Margarita Calderon arrived yesterday morning in Manila for a two-day visit.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Calderon visited the tomb of former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino where she laid flowers.

She also paid a courtesy call on President Aquino at Malacañang and was honored with a lunch reception attended by Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, members of the Cabinet, and legislators.

She then met Philippine officials in an evening reception hosted by Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines Tomas Cal­villo.

Calderon’s visit reciprocated the visit to Mexico of Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and Education Secretary Armin Luistro last May 30 to June 3.

They led a 17-member delegation to study the “Oportunidades” poverty alleviation program for the benchmarking of the Pantawid Pa­milyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the conditional cash grant program for families in the poorest municipalities.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona also led a delegation of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) officials to study Mexico’s “Seguro Popular” (public health insurance) program to attain 100 percent health insurance coverage for all Filipinos.

Both the Oportunidades and the Seguro Popular are considered successful models for social service programs because of their high positive impact and effective results in providing assistance and services to the poor.

Today, Calderon is set to tour Fort Santiago in Intramuros, visit the Nayong Kabataan shelter for children, and meet with Soliman, Ona and Luistro to discuss Mexico’s programs for the protection and welfare of children, the prevention of drug addiction, and national census for People With Disabilities.

Her visit will be capped by a cultural gala, hosted by Sen. Edgardo Angara, which will showcase artist-performers of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the launching of the “Dia del Galeon” (Galleon Day) commemorative stamps.

The Dia del Galeon is the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-instituted commemoration of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade celebrated by the Philippines and Mexico every Oct. 8.