Organized by the Chinese Filipino Business Club Inc. (CBCFI), the President’s scheduled tour will be the first formal visit by the highest official of the land to the Philippines’ center of Chinese Filipino culture.
While previous government leaders have attended significant events and celebrations of the Chinese Filipino community through the years, this is the first time a President will conduct a formal visit to Chinatown.
CBCFI president Dante Y. Go said Chinatown is expected to warmly welcome the President.
"We also take this as an opportunity to convey the support of the Chinese Filipino community to the Arroyo administration and to convey our confidence in her capability to make an economic turnaround for our country," he said.
Go added that the milestone visit proves that "we have a President who takes the initiative in promoting socio-cultural bridges."
He said the personal encounter with President Arroyo will inspire the Chinese Filipino community to further strengthen its cooperative relationship with the government in pursuing projects for general welfare, particularly on peace and order, providing jobs, anti-drug campaign, expanding mass education, and assisting the less fortunate.