GMA visits Chinatown

President Arroyo will make a historic visit to Manila’s Chinatown today as part of a confidence building effort with the Filipino-Chinese community, a significant sector of the national economy.

On top of the President’s itinerary is a stop at the Federation Center in Binondo to induct newly elected officers, directors and council of representatives of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), led by Benjamin G. Chua Jr., president; John K.C. Ng, executive vice-president and vice-presidents Robin C. Sy, Robert Siy Chin, John K. Tan, Vicente Sitosta, Joseph Tong and Tan Tian Siong; Francis Chua, treasurer; Jacinto Uy, auditor and Atty. Jose Ngaw, corporate secretary and secretary general.

There will also be an informal dialogue between the President and officers of FFCCCII on matters vital to the upliftment of the country’s overall economic climate.

Chua will also take this occasion to affirm the commitment of FFCCCII to give full support and cooperation for the success of the Arroyo administration. Likewise, FFCCCII will make a symbolic donation to Mrs. Arroyo of 350 school buildings, which were pledged during the 23rd Biennial Convention held last month. These schools are constructed under FFCCCII’s project "Operation: Barrio Schools," a school building program that has run for more than four decades.

Also invited to the simple induction are officers of FFCCCII’s member chambers of commerce, affiliated trade associations and NGOs in Binondo. Also invited are the officers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Management Association of the Philippines and other Filipino-Chinese organizations.

After Mrs. Arroyo’s visit to the FFCCCII headquarters, she will lead a motorcade with the officers and members of FFCCCII to the famous Binondo Church.