Noy to meet visiting Singapore president

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will meet Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam who will be on a four-day state visit to the country starting today, Malacañang announced yesterday.

At the invitation of the President, Tan’s visit will be his first to the Philippines and serves as a reciprocal visit of Aquino’s state visit to Singapore in 2011.

According to Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., the two leaders will discuss cooperation in defense, trade and investment.

Tan and his official party will offer a wreath in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park on Thursday before proceeding to Malacañang where the President will tender a state luncheon in his honor.

He will meet members of the Philippine-Singapore Business Council on Friday to strengthen trade ties between the two countries. 

Singapore is the Philippines’ fourth largest trade partner, with total trade amounting to $8.22 billion last year. “President Tan will also visit Tacloban, Leyte and Basey, Western Samar where he will turn over medical supplies to the Basey District Hospital, which is the beneficiary of the joint rehabilitation project between the Singapore Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross,” Coloma said.

Tan will be accompanied by his wife Mary Tan and a delegation composed of Minister Grace Fu, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Hawazi Daipi and members of parliament Lam Pin Min and Vikram Nair during his visit here.