7 May 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived 12:10 in the afternoon (Ottawa time) on Thursday at the Macdonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa for the start of his three-day state visit in Canada.

The President came from Chicago in the United States for a working visit where he met potential investors in business meetings organized by the US Chamber of Commerce and US-ASEAN Business Council as well the local Filipino Community in Chicago.

Philippine Embassy officials led by Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia welcomed the President and his delegation. Deputy Chief of Mission Uriel Norman R. Garibay, Minister and Consul Generals Eric Gerardo E. Tamayo, Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo, Porfirio M. Mayo, Jr. and Deputy Defense Attaché Col. Orlando Suarez accompanied the Ambassador.

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder and Deputy Chief of Protocol of Canada Geoffrey Dean were also present to welcome the President.

Onboard with President Aquino is his official delegation composing of Secretaries Jose Rene Almendras (Cabinet Secretary), Cesar Purisima (Finance), Rosalinda Baldoz (Labor and Employment), Gregory Domingo (Trade and Industry), Sonny Coloma (Presidential Communications Operations Office), Julia Abad (Presidential Management Staff), Undersecretary Laura del Rosario (Foreign Affairs) and Presidential Chief of Protocol Celia Anna Feria.

President Aquino and his delegation proceeded to the Westin Ottawa Hotel where they will be billeted during the visit. He is scheduled to also make a stop in Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia.

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