Papua New Guinea PM leaves PH after Apec meet

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. RAFFY LERMA/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill left the Philippines on Friday after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Manila.

He departed from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport shortly before 10:30 a.m.

Malacañang said O’Neill and President Benigno Aquino III met last Tuesday to reaffirm their commitment to “strengthen people-to-people ties.”

READ: Papua New Guinea PM Peter O’Neill arrives in Manila for Apec | Papua New Guinea PM thanks PH for teachers, rice exports

The prime minister expressed gratitude to the Philippines for the country’s rice exports and the contributions of Filipino teachers in Papua New Guinea.

“PM O’Neill cited the presence of more than 30,000 Filipinos, a good number, as PG permanent residents and valuable contributions of Filipino teachers from institutions like La Salle and Don Bosco,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement to the media.

O’Neill also sought Aquino’s help in addressing climate change, noting that the Philippines’ experience in climate change adaptation would be valuable to Papua New Guinea. RAM