NAIA Terminal II, Pasay City
10 October 2013

Following his attendance to the 21st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Indonesia and the 23rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Brunei Darussalam, President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II Thursday evening.

In his arrival statement, President Aquino cited a few of the successful talks the country had undertaken during the two aforementioned events. One of the highlights being discussed throughout the 21st APEC summit was people-to-people connectivity, serving as one key strategy in strengthening trade and investment. He also added that cross-border education will greatly contribute in paving progress across the Asia-Pacific.

Meanwhile, the promotion of small-scale businesses through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, bolstering the country’s disaster preparedness, as well as the security of Filipinos overseas, were among the focal points the President emphasized in the said summit.

“Ito mismo ang batayang prinsipyong gumabay, at patuloy na gagabay sa atin bilang isang bansa. Hindi natin hahayaang politika ang magdikta sa direksyong tatahakin ng mga Pilipino. Tanging ang interes ng nakararami, ang pagbuwag sa kultura ng katiwalian, at ang pagsusulong ng malawakang kaunlaran ang tumitimon sa bawat hakbang natin dito sa tuwid na daan,” the Chief Executive said.

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