Gov’t to spend P24 M for Noy’s China, Myanmar trips

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino left the country yesterday to attend major regional conferences in China and Myanmar.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said the government has allotted P24 million to cover expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of the President and his delegation.

The President left for Beijing yesterday morning via a chartered flight to Beijing to attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting. He will proceed to Naypyidaw to participate in the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

“While these meetings will further strengthen our regional relations and trade partnerships with our neighbors, 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,” Ochoa said in a statement.

In Beijing, the President is expected to discuss economic reforms during the APEC CEO Summit 2014 organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. He will also talk about innovative development, economic growth, and structural development in the APEC economic leaders’ meeting.

Officials previously said that the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) would not be tackled during the event, noting that the issue is specific to Southeast Asia.

Aquino is also scheduled to meet with the APEC Business Advisory Council and other industry leaders to talk about disaster resilience, small and medium enterprises, financial inclusion and domestic governance.

APEC leaders are expected to adopt the 22nd APEC Leaders’ Declaration during the end of the conference on Nov. 11.

In Naypyidaw, Aquino will attend meetings between Southeast Asian leaders, the United Nations, Japan, the United States and China, and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

He will also witness the launching of the ASEAN Communication Master Plan and the ASEAN Institute of Green Growth Economy.

Aquino will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Abad and Presidential Protocol chief Celia Anna Feria in the two conferences.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Social Secretary Susan Arnaiz will join Aquino in China, while Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. will be part of the delegation to Myanmar.