Aquino gains investments, diplomatic support from 12-day foreign trip

President Benigno Aquino III AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday evening proudly shared the fruits of his 12-day trip to Europe and the United States, which ranged from investment prospects to pledges of diplomatic support.

Arriving past 10 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the President gave his arrival speech in front of fellow government officials and media.

Aquino said his visits to Spain, Belgium, France, Germany and the US resulted in 94 engagements attended and important meetings with leaders of the said countries and big businesses.

Maritime dispute

While he did not mention China, he said all the leaders he met expressed support for the country’s decision to pursue arbitration before the United Nations.

“Nabigyan po tayo ng pagkakataong ipaliwanag ang ating posisyon ukol sa West Philippine Sea; malinaw nga po sa ating pagharap sa iba’t ibang pinuno, pati na rin sa mga think tank, na nauunawaan nila ang katuwiran ng ating paninindigan,” he said. “Ikinalulugod nga po natin ang pagpapahayag ng suporta ng mga pinunong ating nakausap.”

(We were given the opportunity to explain our position pertaining to the West Philippine Sea; it was clear that the leaders and think thanks we met understood the basis of our position. We are glad at the pledges of support made by the heads of state that we met.)

While Aquino was in Europe, Chinese state media issued commentaries on the situation of Chinese nationals in the Philippines, some of whom were victims of crime. One opinion piece also said that Aquino was mistaken in bringing forth the maritime dispute to European leaders.

More local jobs

He also boasted the $2.35 billion worth of investments pledged by foreign companies, which he said would create 33,850 jobs in the country.

“Nagkakaisa sila sa kanilang tiwala sa gumaganda nating ekonomiya at sistemang panlipunan. Alam nila ang bunga ng ating mga reporma; at umaasa sila sa patuloy nating pag-angat,”

(All of them have trust in the improving economy and social system of the country. They know the fruits of our reforms and they are hoping that we will continue to rise.)

Aquino declined to detail the agreements but he said Coca-Cola reported that it had already complied with its promise to invest additional $1 billion before 2015. He said he also tried to convince Volkswagen to construct its global manufacturing hub in the Philippines.

“Malaking bentahe ang lumalaki nating middle class, pati na rin ang maganda nating lokasyon at ang husay ng ating manggagawa, at ipagpapatuloy po natin ang pang-eengganyo sa kanila,” he said.

(A large advantage is our ballooning middle class, as well as the good location and quality of our skilled workers. We will continue to encourage them.)

Aquino also mentioned the proposal of an official of a prominent bank to globalize the Philippine peso.

Climate change call

The Philippines also took the spotlight during the United Nations Climate Summit in New York where Aquino gave a speech on the effects of climate change on countries that are developing and vulnerable to natural disaster.

“Pinalakas pa natin ang panawagan para sa sama-samang pagkilos ng mga bansa upang tugunan ang epekto ng pagbabago sa klima. Idiniin natin doon: bawat bansa, maliit man o malaki, ganap nang maunlad o papaunlad pa lamang, ay dapat iambag ang lahat nang maiaambag upang harapin ang hamon ng Climate Change,” he said.

(We strengthened the call for collective action of countries to address the effects of climate change. We emphasized that each country, big or small, developed or just starting to develop, should contribute everything it can to face the challenge of climate change.)

Because he was abroad when strong typhoons battered the country in the past weeks, Aquino thanked Filipinos who contributed to help those in need during times of calamity. He said his officials always coordinated with him for instructions to keep Filipinos safe from disasters.

He said seeing the smiles of Filipinos living and working abroad was the highlight of his trip, especially since he was able to tell them about the improvements at home.