MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Less than two weeks after arriving from a rigorous 10-day tour of Europe and the United States, President Benigno Aquino III is headed to a neighboring country – Indonesia – for the 7th Bali Democracy Forum.

Aquino left the country a few minutes past 6 pm on Thursday, October 9, to head to Bali for the forum, upon the invitation of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Aquino and Yudhoyono will be joined by other leaders in the region.

The President will serve as the forum’s co-chair with Yudhoyono whom Aquino described “not just as a fellow ASEAN leader, but also a close friend.”

In his departure speech, Aquino said his attendance at the forum is a sign of the “long-lasting and strong coordination” between Indonesia and the Philippines.

Aquino also praised Yudhoyono for the support he has shown the Philippines especially in negotiating with Muslim rebels in Mindanao and pushing for a peaceful and just resolution and territorial matters.

During the working visit, Yudhoyono is expected to confer to Aquino the “Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna (Star of the Republic of Indonesia),” which Malacañang said is “the highest decoration” awarded by the Indonesian government “to an individual who has contributed extraordinary service to the integrity, viability and greatness of Indonesia.”

Aquino said the achievement was not his alone, but the nation’s.

“It is clear to me that this honor is not just to recognize my accomplishments as an individual, but also the collective efforts of every decent Filipino to push for democracy,” he said.

Aquino is scheduled to return by Friday evening.

Focus on Filipinos

Aquino gave assurances that while he is away, his focus will still be on his countrymen, especially the families who need to evacuate because of the pending eruption of Mount Mayon.

The President said he has given directives to Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman “to co-ordinate and ensure the needs of our countrymen are met.”

Aquino said 54,000 food packs will be distributed started on Sunday, while 540,000 food packs are on standby as needed. He also said the national government has allotted funds to help the Albay local government if evacuees find themselves unable to return to their homes for up to 6 months.

Democratic figure

As co-chair, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr said the President “will speak at the conference to share our country’s rich experience in achieving democracy leading to the implementation of the democratic processes in our nation.”

“As the son of democracy icons – the late Senator Ninoy Aquino and former President Cory Aquino – President Aquino can truly be an inspiration to other heads of states and governments and the rest of the participants,” Ochoa added.

Ochoa said the government has set aside P7.1 million ($159,000*) for Aquino’s trip. The amount covers transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of Aquino and his 47-member delegation.

Sharing best practices

This year’s forum theme is “Evolving Regional Democratic Architecture: The Challenges of Political Development, Public Participation, and Socioeconomic Progress in the 21st Century.”

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr told reporters the forum will focus on “best practices” which the participating leaders will share with each other.

He also said he was not sure if matters regarding China and the Philippines’ maritime dispute will be discussed.

“I don’t think this would have the same focus as a regular ASEAN meeting or even APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) meeting,” Coloma said.

The Philippines and China are in the midst of a territorial dispute over areas in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). In past Southeast Asian regional meets, the Philippines had appealed for support for a peaceful resolution to the problem and has pushed for a binding Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea despite the strong resistance of China.

The forum, which was started in 2008, is an annual intergovernmental forum on the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region “that aims to foster dialogue-based regional and international cooperation through sharing of experiences and best practices that adhere to the principles of mutual respect and understanding.”

Aquino will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Abad, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, and Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria.– Rappler.com