P49-M: Cost of Aquino’s Davos trip

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III’s trip to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) will cost the government about P49 million, according to a statement released by Executive Secretary Pacquito “Jojo” Ochoa on Wednesday, January 23.

This is the first time that Aquino is attending the annual meeting of the world’s most powerful leaders and businessmen. He will leave Wednesday night with his 63-member delegation.

President Aquino will deliver the keynote address on the fight against corruption at the January 24 session on “Partnering Against Corruption Initiative,” according to Ochoa.

“President Aquino will share the successes of his administration’s campaign against corruption, which served as a springboard for the significant improvement in our country’s economy,” Ochoa said.

Aquino will also participate in economic discussions where he will pitch the country’s “readiness to receive more investments,” Ochoa added.

Among the members of his delegation are Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Cabinet Secretary to the President Jose Rene Almendras and PCDSPO Secretary Ramon Carandang.

The budget covers their chartered flight to Switzerland, accommodation, transportation, food, and equipment telecommunications requirements among others.

WEF will run from January 23-27. Aquino will also visit the Filipino community in Switzerland’s capital Zurich before he returns to the country. – Rappler.com