The government spent about P20 million for President Benigno Aquino III’s three-day working visit to Japan. He is expected to bring in at least $1 billion in fresh investments and more than 9 billion yen in official development assistance.
According to Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., the President and his 63-member delegation flew to Japan on the invitation of the Japanese government Sunday morning Sept. 25 via a special commercial flight.
Among the members of the Chief Executive’s official delegation are Secretaries Albert del Rosario – Foreign Affairs, Gregory Domingo – Trade and Industry, Cesar Purisima – Finance, Manuel Roxas II – Transportation and Communication, and Rene Almendras – Energy.
"In this trip, our President wishes to further advance our strategic cooperation with Japan, our friend for more than half a century now," Ochoa said. "We always look forward to stronger bilateral relations with one of our important partners in the region."
In Japan, President Aquino paid a state call on His Majesty Emperor Akihito and met with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda and discussed a wide array of issues to further advance the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Other highlights of the President’s official working visit are the keynote speech at the Philippine Economic Forum and meetings with major business groups, among them Keidanren, Japan Business Federation, Japan-Tokyo Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Japan Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee.
The Chief Executive also witnessed the signing of several memoranda of agreement on new investment projects in energy, mining, property development, automotive, ship-building and infrastructure development under the public-private partnership scheme. Top officials of big Japanese companies also met with the President.
President Aquino also met the Filipino community in Tokyo and in Miyagi, one of the prefectures in northeastern Japan hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11.
According to Ochoa, the P20-million budget covers expenses for the special commercial flight, hotel accommodations, food, transportation, and telecommunications and equipment requirements.
President Aquino returned on Sept. 28. /MP
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