THE government is spending about P4.2 million for President Benigno Aquino III’s trip to
Indonesia for the annual gathering of the leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) from May 7 to 8.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said the P4.2 million covers expenses for hotel
accommodations, food, transportation, telecommunications and equipment requirements,
among others, excluding air fares.
The President will be accompanied by a 54-man delegation including Foreign Secretary
Albert del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar
Purisima, and Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.
Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office, Mindanao Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino, DFA
Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio, Chief Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant Miguel
Perez-Rubio, Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Ramon Vicente Kabigting, and DFA
Assistant Secretary Victoria Bataclan are also part of the President’s delegation.
The President’s attendance to the 18th ASEAN Summit, a yearly meeting of the heads of
states and governments of the regional bloc composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, is his second
since he became the Chief Executive last year. His first was in Vietnam in November 2010.
(PIA)
