Palace: P31.9M price tag for Aquino’s Europe trip

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III’s 4-nation trip to Europe costs taxpayers PHP 31.9 million (USD 725,495), a palace official said Sunday, September 14.

In a radio interview, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigal Valte said the amount covers all the delegation’s expenses for the Europe leg of the trip.

“The PHP31.9 million covers the transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of the Chief Executive and his delegation for the 8-day visit to Spain, Belgium, France and Germany,” Valte said.

Aquino left Saturday night, September 13, to apprise potential investors of positive economic developments in the Philippines, which has received a series of credit ratings upgrades during his watch. 

During the 8-day trip to Europe – the president’s first visit to the region since he assumed office in 2010 – Aquino will meet with heads of states as well as the Filipino communities in the 4 countries.

After his Europe trip, Aquino will head to New York City to attend the United Nations Global Climate Change Summit. 

Valte said she has yet to receive the costs of the US leg of the trip.

Since he assumed office in 2010, Aquino has visited USA, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Japan, China, Cambodia, UK, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Myanmar, South Korea, and Malaysia.

Aquino has made 33 international trips, far lower than former president Arroyo’s 127 foreign travels, making her the most-traveled president in the country’s history. – Rappler.com

*(USD 1 = PHP 43.95) 

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story indicated that the cost was PHP39.1 million. It should be PHP31.9 million. Our apologies for the typographical error.