Noy to push regional peace in Japan meet

TOKYO – President Aquino will push for regional peace, stability and prosperity and seek to boost ties and trade relations with Japan during his visit here.

Aquino arrived in this chilly Japanese capital yesterday to attend the 40th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit. He is also set to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The President said he would thank the ASEAN and the Japanese government and its people for the help they have been extending to Filipinos, especially in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Aquino noted that even before Yolanda struck, personnel of the ASEAN Center for Humanitarian Assistance in the Philippines were in place.

He said the Japanese government also sent millions of dollars in financial aid aside from aircraft, ships, medical teams and members of their self-defense forces to speed up relief efforts.

Japan is the Philippines’ biggest trading partner and host to a large number of Filipino workers as well as the country’s biggest source of official development assistance, the President said.

During his meeting with the Japanese business community, Aquino said he would lay down the reforms his administration had instituted as well as the business opportunities in the country.

He said he would also assure the Filipino community here that the government is responding to the needs of Yolanda survivors and is doing its best to expedite the rehabilitation of damaged areas.

P15-M budget

A P15-million budget was allocated for the President and his 57-member official delegation for the Dec. 12-14 event, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said yesterday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Transportation Secretary Emilio Abaya, Presidential Management Staff head Julia Abad, presidential protocol chief Celia Anna Feria and Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. are the Cabinet members in the official delegation.

“The participation of President Aquino in the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit will further strengthen our relationship with Japan, a long-time ally and strategic partner in trade, tourism and labor,” Ochoa said. – Aurea Calica, Delon Porcalla