Balagbag Ramp, Pasay City
28 April 2014

United States President Barack Obama arrived at the Ages Hangar, Balagbag Ramp in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 1:25 pm on board Air Force One for a two-day state visit in the country.

President Obama together with his delegation was welcomed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia Jr. and Philippine Air Force Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jeffrey F. Delgado.

The U.S. President is expected to proceed to Malacañan Palace to meet President Benigno S. Aquino III for bilateral talks that will strengthen the country’s partnership with the U.S. being one of its closest allies in Asia. President Aquino will also host a State Dinner at the Palace in honor of President Obama, showcasing the country’s top Filipino cuisine, traditional dances and performance arts.

Early on, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a notice-to-airmen (Notam) advising aircraft to expect delays with the closing of NAIA terminals from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for President Obama’s arrival and departure time. Following the Notam, the CAAP also issued a no-fly zone in Malacañang complex all throughout the visit of the U.S. President as part of the security protocol for a visiting Head of State.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to the country is his first and this will be the last leg to complete his four-nation Asia Pacific tour where he visited Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.

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