Government spends Php 24-M for President Aquino’s attendance to APEC, ASEAN Meeting

President Benigno Aquino III delivers his speech before heading to China for the APEC Summit (Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — The government has set aside around Php 24 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s participation in two major regional conferences in China and Myanmar from Nov. 10 to 13, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Sunday.

The Chief Executive left Sunday morning via a chartered flight to Beijing to attend the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. From China, President Aquino will proceed to Nay Pyi Taw to attend the 25th ASEAN Summit.

“While these meetings will further strengthen our regional relations and trade partnerships with our neighbors, it is also important to note that in this particular conference in Beijing, China is anticipated to turn over the APEC chairmanship to the Philippines as we host the APEC Summit next year,” Ochoa said.

In the two conferences, President Aquino will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Andrea Abad and Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Social Secretary Susan Arnaiz will also join the President in China, while Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. will be part of the delegation to Myanmar.

In Beijing, President Aquino will lead the dialogue on economic reforms during the APEC CEO Summit 2014 organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and discuss innovative development, economic reform and growth, and strengthening structural development in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

He is also set to meet with the APEC Business Advisory Council and other industry leaders to discuss disaster resilience, small and medium enterprises, financial inclusion and domestic governance, among others.

The APEC leaders are expected to adopt the 22nd APEC Leaders’ Declaration on the conclusion of the conference on Nov. 11.

In Nay Pyi Taw, President Aquino will be participating in meetings between ASEAN leaders and the United Nations, Japan, the United States and China, among others, as well as with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

He will also attend events for the launch of the ASEAN Communication Master Plan and the ASEAN Institute of Green Growth Economy.

The amount earmarked for the trip covers expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of the Chief Executive and his delegation.