PRESIDENT BENIGNO S.C. Aquino III left for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday, with the intention of bringing more opportunities in terms of job creation and strengthened relations with counterpart nations in the region.
Mr. Aquino left a past 4 p.m. via Philippine Airlines Flight PR001 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.
The Presidential delegation included Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, Transport Secretary Manuel A. Roxas, Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras, and Presidential Spokesperson Lacierda.
Before boarding, the President underscored the importance of participating in APEC 2011 because the Philippines, as a developing economy, is currently experiencing the impact of problems being faced by other nations in various parts of the world, particularly noting “the widespread revolution in the Middle East and the weakening of the economies of the United States and Europe.
“Every strategy, suggestion, and knowledge that we can cull from the APEC we can use to solve the problems in our country and push the interest of our countrymen,” Mr. Aquino said in his departure speech.
“Some of the topics that we wish to focus on here, and to improve, would be the security of our economy, better utilization of energy and the creation of additional jobs,” he added.
Mr. Aquino will personally take part in the APEC CEO (Chief Executive Officers) Summit as the only head of state to lead one of the breakaway sessions (Nov. 11-12); and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM, Nov. 12-13), inclusive of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue.
“When we return to the Philippines this Tuesday, I believe we would have strengthened relations with our counterpart countries, and we will bring more opportunities for our beloved countrymen,” Mr. Aquino said.
The President will arrive back in Manila on Nov. 16, where he will engage in a meeting with United States Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton, before proceeding next week to Bali, Indonesia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on Nov. 17-19. At the summit, he is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama.
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By: Johanna D. Poblete
Source: Business World, Nov. 14, 2011
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