President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Tony Tan Keng Yam, President of the Republic of Singapore, shares a light moment during the joint press statement at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the State Visit to the Philippines of the Singapore Head of State on Thursday (April 03, 2014). This is President Tan’s first state visit to the Philippines. It is a reciprocal visit following President Aquino’s State Visit to Singapore on 9 to 11 March 2011. Singapore is the Philippines’ 4th largest trade partner in 2013, with total trade amounting to US$9.27 billion. It is also the 6th largest source of visitors to the Philippines, with 175,304 tourist arrivals in 2013. Singapore also hosts an 180,000-strong Filipino community. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Nag-courtesy call kay Pangulong Benigno Aquino III si Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam nitong Huwebes ng umaga sa Malakanyang.
Ito ay bahagi ng apat na araw na state visit ni President Yam sa bansa.
Sa pulong ng dalawang lider, natalakay ang higit pang pagpapalakas ng ugnayan ng dalawang bansa, partikular na sa trade and investments at defense cooperation.
Pinasalamatan ni Pangulong Aquino ang Singapore dahil sa ginawa nilang pagtulong noong manalasa ang super typhoon Yolanda.
Pahayag ng Pangulo, “Singapore was one of the first countries to reach out to the Filipino people in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan — and the assistance that their people is deeply appreciated. Singapore deployed a civil defense force team to assist the United Nations office for the coordination of humanitarian activities.”
Tugon naman ni President Yam, “We’re heartened that the spirit and resilience of the Philippine people remain strong in such devastation.”
Pinuri din ng Singaporean president si Pangulong Aquino dahil sa matagumpay na paglagda sa Bangsamoro Final Peace Agreement.
“I congratulated President Aquino on the conclusion of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. This is a momentous accomplishment and a testament to the leadership and efforts of Pres. Aquino and his administration in brokering peace and stability for the Philippines and the region.”
Noong nakaraang taon, ang Singapore ang pangapat na pinakamalaking trade partner ng Pilipinas.
Sa darating na Sabado, inaasahan na dadalaw din si President Yam at delegasyon niya sa Tacloban City.
Ito ang kauna-unahang state visit ng Singaporean president sa bansa. (NEL MARIBOJOC / UNTV News)