Noy to push for best practices vs climate change

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will push for best practices to combat climate change at the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea (ASEAN-ROK) commemorative summit in Busan.

Aquino, who left yesterday morning and would be back tonight, said in his departure speech that addressing climate change was a Philippine advocacy and he would like to exchange knowledge on how best to deal with the problem.

He added the visit would be a good opportunity to nurture and further improve relations between the Philippines and South Korea.

The Philippines and South Korea have been close allies for a long time now, Aquino said, adding the relationship was formed by a rich cooperation for democracy, freedom and progress.

From improving the economy to strengthening national security to stimulating tourism and people-to-people exchanges, South Korea has really been a good partner, Aquino said.

Aquino cited as examples the more than one million South Korean tourists that arrived in the Philippines last year, as well as Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippines, one of its major companies, which helped the country become the fourth largest shipbuilding nation in the world based on this year’s first quarter data.

Aquino said he was excited to hold a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, as he would take the opportunity to further boost ties with Seoul.

Aquino said the trip would be his last out-of-country this year, promising to make the most out of it, especially in seeking more opportunities for Filipinos in South Korea.

With every step, the world could now see significant changes happening in the country, Aquino said as he expressed hope that Filipinos would continue to  achieve much progress.

The government earmarked P11.2 million for Aquino’s visit to Busan, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said.

Aquino left for Busan on a chartered flight accompanied by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Andrea Abad and presidential protocol chief Celia Anna Feria.

The amount covers expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of the Chief Executive and his 48-member delegation.

“President Aquino’s attendance to the 25th ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit is an occasion to fortify our country’s relationship with South Korea in various areas of cooperation such as trade and investment, development, labor and migration, tourism, among others,” Ochoa said.

Aquino is scheduled to deliver his country-statement on this year’s summit theme, “Building Trust, Bringing Happiness,” and hold a bilateral meeting with the South Korean leader.

Park will host a dinner to officially welcome the ASEAN leaders who will also be treated to a cultural performance.

Initially, the ROK was a sectoral dialogue partner of the ASEAN and became a full dialogue partner in 1991. The dialogue relations between the ASEAN and ROK were upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2010.  – With Delon Porcalla