President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A total of P11.6 million was allocated for President Benigno Aquino III’s visit to Singapore from November 18 to 19, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Aquino, who will attend The Economist’s The World in 2015 conference, left on Tuesday morning with some of his Cabinet secretaries.
Executive Paquito Ochoa Jr. said the amount was set aside for the 54-member delegation’s transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements.
Among the officials who accompanied Aquino were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III.
“This is a significant opportunity for our President to share his administration’s plans and reform programs towards sustainable economic and inclusive growth, as well as the peace process for Mindanao,” Ochoa said in a statement.
Aquino is the keynote speaker at The World in 2015 gala dinner. Malacañang said it is the first time that a Philippine leader was asked to speak at The Economist’s global forum, which started in 2009.
World’s largest companies
Before he left the country, the President said the event was “not typical” since it will gather under one roof many of the largest companies in the world.
He said it would be an opportunity for him to directly answer their questions on setting up businesses in the Philippines.
Aquino said he will also visit a Jollibee branch in Singapore.
“Doon, hindi lamang natin makakasama ang masisipag nating mga kababayan; maipapahayag at maibabandila din natin sa lahat ang world class na produkto’t serbisyo ng Pilipino,” he said.
(There, we will not only be able to join our hardworking citizens, we will also be able to promote the world class products and services of the Filipino.)
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