DFA: Obama trip to PH still on amid US shutdown

US President Barack Obama. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Amid the United States government’s shutdown, US President Barack Obama’s scheduled trip to the Philippines next week is so far expected to proceed as planned, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

The DFA said the Philippine government has yet to receive word from the US Department of States on any changes in Obama’s much-anticipated trip to Manila on Oct. 11 and 12 following the US government shutdown that took effect Oct. 1.

“We have not received any advice from the US State Department on any change in President Obama’s planned visit to the Philippines,” said DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez on Tuesday afternoon.

The US government went into a partial shutdown for the first time in 17 years on Tuesday amid a Congressional standoff on a hotly debated national healthcare law that delayed the passage of government’s funding bill.

While law enforcement, military and emergency services will continue, the disruption will close down national parks, veterans’ offices, parts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, according to an Associated Press report.

Obama’s visit is part of his four-nation swing through Southeast Asia, including Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. He will be the eighth US President to visit Manila, the last being his predecessor George W. Bush in 2003.

The US Embassy in Manila has been drumming up Obama’s Manila visit through social media. It recently launched a campaign on Facebook placing life-size standees of Obama in well-known spots in the Philippines, including Intramuros and Quiapo Church in Manila and Burnham Park in Baguio City.