MANILA, Philippines - The government will spend P14.3 million for President Aquino’s attendance in key regional summits in Indonesia and Brunei.
The amount covers the trip expenses of Aquino and his 84-member official delegation from Oct. 6 to 10.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said the expenses include transportation, accommodation, food and equipment.
“President Aquino is expected to share a number of Philippine initiatives during the scheduled meetings in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam,†Ochoa said.
“Some of these will be on the areas of environmental protection and climate change mitigation, food security, women and the economy, infrastructure investment, among others,†he added.
Aquino yesterday left for Bali to attend the 21st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meet from Oct. 6 to 8.
Aquino is expected to reaffirm the country’s commitment to enhance regional cooperation during the conference.
Aquino and his delegation left around 8 a.m. on a chartered Philippine Airlines flight. Among Cabinet officials in the delegation were Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Presidential Management Staff head Julia Abad and presidential protocol chief Celia Anna Feria.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Communications Secretary Ramon Carandang are also part of the delegation but flew to Indonesia earlier.
In his departure speech, Aquino expressed confidence the world leaders would be able to come up with measures that would strengthen their cooperation.
“We will continue to strengthen our relations with Indonesia and other neighboring countries towards a stronger economy,†he said.
Aquino also vowed to invite foreign businessmen to invest in the Philippines.
“We will convince them that the Philippines is a worthy destination not just for tourism but also for growing their business,†he said.
Aquino yesterday attended the APEC CEO summit as a panelist on inclusive growth along with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Peru President Ollanta Humala.
Business leaders in the region attended the summit.
Aquino was also scheduled to meet with members of the APEC Business Advisory Council and counterparts from the other 20 member-economies of APEC. Participants of the summit are expected to develop policies aimed at improving the business environment in the region.
After attending the APEC meetings, Aquino will fly to Brunei for the 23rd ASEAN summit from Oct. 9 to 10.
The President is expected to participate in at least nine different meetings between the ASEAN and Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, the United States and the United Nations.