The Philippines expects to gain much in terms of disaster mitigation know-how from President Benigno Aquino III’s upcoming state visits to Indonesia and Singapore. Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said Saturday the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia are in the Southeast Asian region where cyclones and earthquakes frequently occur. “Magkakaroon tayo ng [We will have an] exchange of ideas and learning on how other countries deal with similar situations we deal with on a regular basis," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.
She also said Filipinos can expect improved relationships with its neighbors in the region, which she said share many commonalities. On Friday, Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs said Aquino will go on state visits to Indonesia and Singapore next week to strengthen bilateral ties with the two neighbors. Aquino will go to Indonesia from March 7 to 9, and to Singapore from March 9 to 11, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday. (See: Aquino to visit Indonesia, Singapore next week) “These visits follow the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) tradition of a new Head of State paying courtesy visits to fellow ASEAN Member-Countries," the DFA said in a news release. In Indonesia, Aquino will meet with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, discuss fisheries cooperation, maritime boundary delimitation, and other matters, and witness the signing of three agreements aimed at “enhancing people-to-people linkages between the two countries."
In Singapore, Aquino will meet Singaporean President SR Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, where they will discuss government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan and other matters of bilateral and ASEAN concerns. During Aquino’s state visits, he will also meet the Filipino communities in Jakarta and Singapore, as well as with business taipans and organizations to drum up support for the investment initiatives of the administration.—JV
