Gov’t spends P31.9 M for Noy’s trip to Europe

MANILA, Philippines - The government is spending P31.9 million for President Aquino’s eight-day visit to Europe, Malacañang said yesterday.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said the amount covers expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of the President and his delegation for their working visit to Spain, Belgium, France and Germany.

“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 in a statement.

“We anticipate having stronger friendship and trade relations with Europe and the EU (European Union) after this trip of the President,” he added.

Aquino’s delegation includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala Jr., Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma, Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Abad, Presidential Protocol chief Celia Feria, Communication Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III and Undersecretary Rochelle Ahorro.

The visit, which started last Sept. 13 and ends on Sept. 20, is Aquino’s first trip to Europe since he assumed office in 2010.

In Madrid, the President will meet with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and King Felipe VI to thank them for keeping the Philippines in Spain’s official development assistance program. He is also expected to visit and offer flowers at the Rizal Monument in the Spanish capital.

In Belgium, Aquino will meet with European Commission president José Manuel Barroso, European Council president Herman Van Rompuy, King Philippe and Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo. The President is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Egmont Institute to mark the 50th anniversary of the relationship between the Philippines and EU.

In Paris, Aquino will discuss bilateral issues with President François Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

He will also address an event organized by the French Institute for International Relations and witness the signing of the Philippines-France Defense Cooperation Agreement.

In Berlin, the President will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal President Joachim Gauck to tackle maritime cooperation, hiring of nurses, and technical and vocational education and training.

He is also scheduled to deliver a speech at a forum organized by the Körber-Stiftung and the Asia Pacific Association in Germany.

Aquino will meet the members of the Filipino communities in the four countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the EU is the Philippines’ primary source of foreign direct investment and is considered one of the major sources of tourists for the country. There are around 700,000 Filipinos in Europe with 44,000 living in Spain, 6,600 in Belgium, 46,000 in France, and 20,000 in Germany.

After his eight-day trip to Europe, Aquino will visit the United States to speak at the United Nations climate summit.

Malacañang has yet to release information on the cost of the US trip.