Large Drawing Room, Government House
7 May 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III paid a call on Governor General David Johnston on the first day of his three-day state visit to Canada.

He was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia and members of his Cabinet composed 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) and Undersecretary Laura del Rosario (Foreign Affairs).

On the Canadian side, Mrs. Sharon Johnston, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder and Deputy Secretary to the Governor General Patricia Jaton were present during the call.

In a statement of Governor General Johnston later during a state dinner for the President, he said he is pleased to note the steady growth in commercial ties, strengthened by the Philippines and Canada’s people-to-people ties. Bilateral trade has reached an impressive $1.8 billion in 2014, a 2.5-percent increase over the previous year.

“Canada aims to support the Philippines through a variety of programs and responses. We are good friends and partners, working together to provide humanitarian assistance, development aid, sustainable economic growth, improved investment climate, and more opportunities for underprivileged men and women. Together we are on the right track, but I’m sure that you will agree there is so much more we can do to work together,” according to Governor General Johnston.

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