SAYING his recent trips had been “successful,” President Aquino arrived in Manila Friday morning after attending the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing, China, and the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
The President arrived at exactly 3:47 a.m. on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR001.
In his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, the President said that the holding of the two forums he attended was timely because along with their collective efforts to push for progress, countries also have to face challenges that know no boundaries, among them climate change, the spread of the Ebola virus, and terrorism.
“Sa bawat minutong inilagi natin sa Beijing at Nay Pyi Taw, ipinakita nating ang Pilipino ay may malasakit, hinaharap ang problema imbes na tinatakasan ito, at handang makipagtulungan sa pagtugon sa mga hamon,” he said.
The President said the APEC meeting gave him the opportunity to establish good rapport with leaders of Latin America nations.
“Nabuo kaagad ang tiwala, at mas mabilis na mapapakinabangan ng mamamayan ang benepisyo ng mga kasunduan,” he added.
He said he took the opportunity to invite fellow leaders of APEC member economies to the Philippines when the country hosts the 23rd APEC Summit next year.
“Isa po itong napakagandang pagkakataon para ipakitang tunay ngang it’s more fun in the Philippines. Nakatitiyak po akong kapag nakipagtulungan ang ating mga minamahal na kababayan, hindi tayo mapapahiya maski ikumpara sa ginawa ng China na mas mayaman at mas maraming kababayan kaysa sa atin. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga nagpahayag ng suporta at pagtitiwala sa tagumpay ng ating pagiging host sa APEC Meeting next year,” he said.
The President said he is hopeful that the seeds planted during the APEC and ASEAN summits would bear fruits.
“Masigasig rin tayo sa pagpupunla ng mabuting pakikipag-ugnayan, hindi lang sa ating mga karatig bansa, kundi pati sa iba pang panig ng daigdig. Sa pamamagitan po nito, matitiyak natin na hindi lamang magiging pansamantala ang ating mga naging tagumpay,” he said.
“Sa ating sama-samang paghakbang sa tuwid na daan, pinatutunayan natin sa ating mga sarili at sa mundo: Matagal nang bumangon ang ‘Sick Man of Asia.’ Handa na siya ngayong tumakbo patungo sa higit pang positibong transpormasyon; handa na siyang maging kabalikat tungo sa mas malawakang kaunlaran.”
At the airport to greet the President were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Joel Villanueva, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Gregorio Catapang, Jr., National Police Director General Alan Purisima, Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto, and Pasay City Congresswoman Emi Calixto-Rubiano. (with a report from PND)
