• President Aquino leaves for Chicago, Canada
• Hectic schedule awaits President Aquino in Canada
• President Aquino begins visit to Chicago
• President Aquino arrives in Chicago for one-day working visit

APEC News Releases

• Asian Carmakers Corporation turns over initial fleet of BMW cars to government for APEC
• Government preparations for APEC 2015 in full swing, says official

“Kukunin natin ang pagkakataong ito, para lalong pagtibayin ang pagsisikap tungo sa nagkakaisang adhikain, gayundin ang pagkalap pa ng interes mula sa mga negosyante ng United States at Canada para lalong mapalago ang pamumuhunan sa ating bansa,” he said.

During his one-day working visit to Chicago on May 6, the Chief Executive will meet with leaders of large companies grouped in the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Council.

“Ang US nga po ang pangatlong major trading partner ng Pilipinas, at layon nating paigtingin pa ang pangangalakal na ito. Ngayong lumalago ang mga ekonomiya ng ating dalawang bansa, ihahayag natin ang kahandaang sulitin ang bawat pagkakataon kasama nila, at higit pang ipapakita na talagang more open for business na ang Pilipinas,” he said, adding that he will also meet with the Filipino community in Chicago to convey to them the fruits of four years of reform carried out by his administration.

The President further noted that at the invitation of Canada’s Governor General David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, he will make his first state visit to the country on May 7 to 9.

During the visit, he will witness the signing of various memoranda of understanding and take the opportunity to thank Canada for its support to the Philippines, especially for sending military personnel and medical aid during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda; for doubling its official development assistance to $111.95 million in grants in 2014; and for naming the Philippines as a “Country of Focus” for various forms of bilateral assistance from Canada.

“Kaagapay rin natin ang Canada sa pagsusulong ng kapayapaan sa Mindanao, bilang bansang kasapi ng Independent Commission on Policing at para sa ibang uri ng tulong nila kaugnay ng pagpapaunlad sa kalagayan ng mga kapatid natin sa Bangsamoro,” he added.

The President is also scheduled to meet with Canadian businessmen and Filipinos living and working in Toronto and Vancouver.

The Chief Executive departed at 8:20 a.m. on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 001.

He was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Abad, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario. PND (ag)

The ceremonial turnover was held at Malacañang’s Kalayaan grounds and was attended by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, APEC 2015 NOC Director General Marciano Paynor Jr., and ACC President Maricar Parco.

In his speech during the event, Executive Secretary Ochoa said the ceremony brings the government and the private sector together to showcase the economic development of the country, and that of the entire Asia-Pacific region, as well.

The Philippines’ hosting of the APEC, he said, supports the government’s efforts in driving economic growth in the Philippines and that of the region by building sustainable and resilient economies, promoting investment in human capital, encouraging the participation of small and medium enterprises in global trade, and enhancing regional economic integration.

“May this ceremony serve as a reminder of our partnership, one which is strongly committed to becoming a driving force in ‘Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World’,” Ochoa said.

As the government partner for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meetings, BMW will provide more than 200 units of the BMW 7 Series Long-Wheelbase Sedan and BMW 5 Series Sedan and Gran Turismo to transport APEC leaders and other dignitaries.

The ACC, the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, will turn over 25 units of the luxury sedans this month. After the APEC Summit in November, the BMW vehicles will be sold to the public. A BMW 7 Series costs P5.5 million while a BMW 5 Series is worth P3.5 million.

For her part, Parco said the formal turnover of the BMW fleet reinforces the brand’s commitment to foster economic growth, not only in the Philippines but also in the Asia-Pacific region.

BMW was named the official premium mobility partner of the APEC Economic Leaders’ meetings through the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the government and the German carmaker in May 2014.

BMW will deploy its cars to the first high-level APEC assembly — the Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting — in Boracay, Aklan on May 23 to 24. PND (as)

In an interview during the turnover of BMW cars to the government on Wednesday, APEC 2015 NOC Director General Marciano Paynor, Jr. said there are continuing meetings involving all national organizing council members, various government agencies and embassies.

Paynor said they already had embassy briefings two months ago and they will hold a briefing in July for those coming from different capitals, and another in October.

“Everything is on track and the plans are already laid out. We just have to confer with each of the different economies to ensure that all the leaders… all of their requirements will have been met,” he said.

Paynor said they are expecting all 21 leaders of APEC member economies to attend the summit in Manila in November.

He noted that there had been very few times in the past when a leader was not able to attend and usually it is due to the holding of elections.

“In the case of one economy, they are having elections a few months before November, so we are not sure who will come because the current leader will no longer be the leader in November,” he said, without identifying the APEC member economy.

“That is usually the case but for the most part, 90 percent of the leaders come,” he said. “There is no reason for them not to come.”

Asked if China will attend the summit, he said the Asian giant will, along with other big Asian economies, such as Japan and South Korea.

He explained that the APEC Summit is a multi-lateral meeting and not a bilateral one, and leaders only discuss economic matters and shy away from talks about politics. PND (as)

President Aquino, along with his official delegation, will proceed to Canada after his one-day working visit to Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). The Chief Executive will visit Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

The President’s first stop will be Ottawa where he is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Canadian Governor General David Johnston. It will be followed by a ceremonial planting and a state dinner in honor of President Aquino at Rideau Hall.

On Friday, President Aquino will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and will witness the signing of agreements that will further enhance bilateral realtions between the two countries.

After the signing ceremony and joint press conference, President Aquino will also take a brief tour of the Library of Parliament and a working lunch with Prime Minister Harper.

On the same day, the President will proceed to Toronto to meet with the executives of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. It will be followed by a reception hosted by the Prime Minister for President Aquino and the Filipino community.

On Saturday morning, President Aquino will depart for Vancouver and will hold separate business meetings with the executives of Aquilini Investment Group, and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.

The President will then meet with British Columbia Premier Christy Clark at Pan Pacific Hotel. President Aquino will cap his visit in Canada with a meeting with the members of the Filipino community at the Vancouver Convention Center.

President Aquino’s state visit to Canada is a “reciprocation” of the visit of Prime Minister Harper to the Philippines in 2012. The visit is the first state visit of a Philippine President since former President Fidel V. Ramos’s visit in 1997.

Canada is the 21st largest trading partner of the Philippines, its 6th top source market for tourism, and is home to almost 700,000 Filipinos. PND (co)

President Aquino will arrive at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Wednesday afternoon (Thursday morning in Manila) and will be welcomed by Philippine officials led by Philippine Consul General in Chicago Generoso Calonge.

Shortly after his arrival, President Aquino will meet with Mayor Emanuel at the J.W. Marriott Chicago.

This will be followed by a business meeting with members of the US Chamber of Commerce and the US – Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Council.

After the business meeting, the President will meet with members of the Filipino community here to update them on the good developments in the Philippines.

During a recent interview with Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), Consul General Calonge said the Filipinos here are eagerly awaiting the arrival of President Aquino, noting that this is the President’s first visit to the Windy City.

“They really like to see him because he has transformed the country towards economic progress and peace, and his administration has tried very hard to set us on the right track, especially on the economic and political as well, because of the peace process that he has worked so hard to attain,” Calonge said.

On Thursday, President Aquino will depart for Canada for a state visit aimed at further enhancing bilateral ties and trade relations between the Philippines and Canada.

While in Canada, President Aquino will meet with potential investors and members of the Filipino community there, as well as call on Canadian Governor General David Johnston.

President Aquino will also hold talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and witness the signing of agreements that will boost ties between the two countries.

Canada is the 21st largest trading partner of the Philippines, the 6th top source market for tourism, and is home to almost 700,000 Filipinos. PND (co)

This is President Aquino’s first time to visit Chicago, the adopted hometown of United States President Barack Obama.

President Aquino, along with his lean official delegation, touched down at the O’Hare International Airport at 1:18 p.m. (Chicago time) on board chartered Philippine Airlines flight PR 001.

With the President were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario.

Upon his arrival, the President was welcomed by officials of the Philippine Consulate in Chicago and a number of US officials, among them Chicago Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti.

From the airport, the President will go straight to his hotel to meet with Chicago City Mayor Rahm Emanuel. It is Emanuel’s first day at work following his re-election for a second term.

Emanuel has served as the 55th mayor of the City of Chicago since 2011. Prior to becoming mayor, he served as White House Chief of Staff to President Obama and served three times in the US House of Representatives, representing Chicago’s 5th District.

President Aquino will then proceed to a business meeting organized by the US Chamber of Commerce, the US ASEAN Business Council, and the National Center for APEC.

He will have a roundtable discussion with the business groups where they are expected to discuss the economic developments in the Philippines, as well as the programs and policies that have contributed to the country’s economic growth.

The President will cap his busy day in Chicago with a meet-and-greet with the Filipino community.

There are some 100,000 Filipinos residing and working in Chicago, the third largest city in the US.

The President will address the Filipino community and will have a quick photo opportunity with them.

President Aquino will then travel to Ottawa, Canada for the second leg of his trip. PND (jb)