Aquino’s Eurotrip costs P31.9M – Palace September 14, 2014 1:34pm The government has set aside some P31.9 million to fund President Benigno Aquino’s 12-day working visit to four European countries, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa said on Sunday. The amount covers expenses for transportation, accommodation, food and equipment, among others. This trip is also Aquino’s first foray into the region since assuming office. Aquino, who left the country Saturday evening, is accompanied by several ranking government officials, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria, Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III and Undersecretary Rochelle Ahorro. In a press release, Ochoa said Aquino hopes to meet with business leaders in the region, while also touching base with Pinoys in Europe. “Our Chief Executive is expected to meet government and business leaders in Madrid, Brussels, Paris, and Berlin, as well as members of the Filipino communities there,” Ochoa said. “We anticipate having stronger friendship and trade relations with Europe and the EU after this trip of the President.” The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has earlier said that the EU is the Philippines’ primary source of foreign direct investments and is considered one of the major sources of tourists for the country. Included in Aquino’s itinerary is a visit with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and King Felipe VI to convey the Philippines’ gratitude for keeping the Philippines in its Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, as well as a meeting with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, King Philippe of Belgium and Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo. According to the DFA, there are around 700,000 Filipinos in Europe, including 44,000 living in Spain, 6,600 in Belgium, 46,000 in France, and 20,000 in Germany. — Patricia Denise Chiu/BM, GMA News gmanetwork/news/story/379126/news/nation/aquino-s-eurotrip-costs-p31-9m-palace
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 07:43:09 +0000
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