PRESIDENT SENDING BACON HOME AHEAD OF JAPAN VISIT
MANILA, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011 (MANILA TIMES) Written by : Jaime Pilapil, Reporter - In the bag are 2.9 billion yen package, $1.1-B investment
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino 3rd's working visit to Japan had been declared a success two days before he was to board a flight to Tokyo on Sunday. His similar trip to the United States had also been deemed successful, with President Aquino announcing a "set of new investments" upon his return on Friday from the working visit, September 18-23.
In the bag are a 2.9-billion yen loan package and $1.1 billion in investment projects, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro told Malacañang reporters during a press briefing also on Friday.
Lazaro said that the loan package covers Regions 2,3, 6 and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The President's September 25 to 28 working trip to Tokyo was made possible through an invitation last year from the Japanese government,
"Japan remains as the Philippines' leading source of ODA [official development assistance] and one of its top trading partners, sources of foreign direct investments and tourists," Lazaro said.
She cited "(the) emerging strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan by which both countries will intensify economic cooperation for mutual prosperity."
Lazaro said that Mr. Aquino will be the second head of government to visit Japan since the government of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda assumed office early this month.
The President will first meet with the Filipino community in Tokyo on September 25 in Tokyo and then proceed the following day to Miyagi Prefecture, the area heavily hit by tsunami early this year.
On September 27, he will meet with key Japanese business organizations such as the Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation, the Japan-Tokyo Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Japan-Philippine Economic Cooperation Committee.
The President will also be witnessing the signing of agreement on new investment projects pegged at $1.1 billion.
Details of the projects, Lazaro said, were not ready for release.
Evening of September 27, Mr. Aquino will hold a summit with Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to discuss advancement of bilateral relations and exchange views on issues of mutual interest. Noda will host an official dinner.
On September 28, the President will call on His Majesty Emperor Akihito, who will be hosting a court luncheon in honor of the visitor.
Lazaro said that the visit was aimed at nurturing the strategic partnership and extensive relations between the Philippines and Japan.
She added that the President and the Prime Minister were also expected to issue a joint statement affirming the two countries' shared values and their commitment to nurturing mutually beneficial cooperation.
Mr. Aquino was expected to reiterate to Japan's leadership the Philippines' message of solidarity and its continuing support for Japan's reconstruction.
He would also thank Japan for its support for the Mindanao peace process and for its assistance to grassroot projects in conflict-affected areas.
Mr. Aquino would highlight the country's strong economic performance and encourage continued Japanese investments in the Philippines including through Japanese participation in infrastructure developments under the public-private partnership scheme.
Lazaro said that the President would also discuss with Noda maritime security in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
She added that Japanese officials will also iron out kinks in preparations for the 2012 Maritime Security Summit where Japan and the Philippines are co-sponsors.
Manila will host the event, which the US and Russia, for the first time, would attend.
Lazaro said that Japan had committed to provide communication facilities for the Philippine Coast Guard.
She added that Japan was also particularly interested in coming up with answers to a clamor of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for an independent homeland for Filipino Muslims in Mindanao in southern Philippines.
Japan is a member of the International Monitoring Team that tracks progress of a proposed peace accord between the government and the MILF.
Lazaro said that the Philippines would also lobby Japan to support the bid of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago for a seat in the International Criminal Court.
Back from US The President arrived in Manila around 2:45 a.m. of Friday on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 105 from Los Angeles, bringing a set of new investments from his five-day working visit to the United States.
"Ang sabi ko nga po sa mga dayuhan na nakadaupang-palad natin: Good governance is good economics . . . nakikita na po natin ang resulta ng mabuting pamamahala, kinikilala na po tayo ng buong mundo, hindi lang po ng mga negosyante kundi pati na ng mga gobyerno. Nakikita nila kung paano natin pinatatag ang sistema (I was told by foreigners in the US: Good governance is good economics… we saw the result of good governance, the whole world recognized us, not only businessmen but also governments. They saw how we made the system stable)," the President said in his arrival speech.
Unlike in the past, many countries now look up to the Philippines and listen to its leaders for best practices on good governance, he added.
Mr. Aquino mentioned that two American companies expressed interest in investing in the Philippines to meet the growing demand for coconut water.
The President and his delegation were welcomed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., spokesman Edwin Lacierda, Higher Education Commisioner Patricia Licuanan, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares.
With Report From Mayvelin U. Caraballo
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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