Gov’t allots P6.8-M for President Aquino’s attendance in ASEAN Summit in Myanmar

President Benigno S. Aquino III greets his Cabinet members during the send-off ceremony at the Departure Area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II in Pasay City on Saturday (May 10) to join fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders at the 24th ASEAN Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Republic of the Union of Myanmar. “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community” is the theme for this year’s ASEAN Summit, highlighting the importance of a united ASEAN. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA (PNA) — The government has set aside P6.8 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s participation in the 24th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar from May 10 to 11, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Saturday.

President Aquino left this afternoon for Nay Pyi Taw via a chartered flight to attend the two-day meeting of ASEAN leaders where the Chief Executive is expected to push for the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC) with China in order to ease the tension in the disputed waters in the region.

He was accompanied by a 56-member delegation, including House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Andrea Abad, Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino and Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo left ahead of the presidential team.

Funding for the trip covers expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of President Aquino and his official delegation.

“President Aquino is expected to discuss quite a few issues of parallel interest with his fellow ASEAN leaders and stress on our decisive stance for the peaceful resolution in the disputed waters in the region,” Ochoa said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the President will attend a dinner to be hosted by Myanmar President U Thein Sein for the heads of states and governments, ASEAN plenary session and retreat, interface meetings with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, civil society organizations and ASEAN Youth, among others. (PNA) CTB/PCOO/RSM