The government has set aside an estimated P3.5 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s participation in the annual gathering of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the regional group in Cambodia from April 3 to 4, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said Monday.
President Aquino left Manila Monday night, April 2 via a chartered plane flight from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to Phnom Penh International Airport to join other heads of states and governments for the 20th ASEAN Summit.
The Chief Executive leads a 63-member delegation to the two-day conference, which includes Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas III, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.
Ochoa said the P3.5-million budget covers expenses for hotel accommodations, food, transportation, telecommunications and equipment requirements.
“The President will be participating in the plenary sessions and bilateral meetings, including the 8th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Summit, as well as meet our kababayans living and working in Cambodia,” Ochoa said.
Similarly during the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali, Indonesia in November last year, the Chief Executive is expected to discuss and underscore, among other issues, the importance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime safety and security in the West Philippine Sea.
The President is particularly pushing for the Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation, which he presented in May 2011 during the 18th ASEAN meeting in Jakarta, to address territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea.
President Aquino, the Department of Foreign Affairs said, will also discuss with fellow leaders in the ASEAN during informal meetings the planned rocket launch by North Korea, which the Philippines has protested. /MP
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