MANILA: The government has allocated P12m ($273,000) for the two-day state visit of President Benigno Aquino III to South Korea.
An article posted on the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) website said the budget covers transportation, accommodation, food and equipment requirements for the president and his 60-member official delegation.
Aquino left this morning for Seoul via a chartered flight and was accompanied by Senate President Franklin Drilon and several members of his Cabinet, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
The president pushed through with his trip while rescue efforts are still ongoing in Cebu and Bohol, which was hit by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that killed over 160 people.
Aquino justified his trip amid the earthquake devastation, saying he already went to Bohol and Cebu on Wednesday. He added that members of his Cabinet were also left in both provinces.
The President’s trip to Seoul is on the invitation of Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye.
Aquino is expected to tackle several issues with Park, including those related to politics, defence, labour, trade and development assistance.
He is also expected to meet members of the Korean business committee to boost business relations and tourism.
The Philippine star
