Pres. Aquino leaves for ASEAN summit in Malaysia

After the APEC summit, President Benigno S. Aquino, III is off to Malaysia for the 27th ASEAN leaders meeting which begins Saturday in Kuala Lumpur.

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In his departure speech Friday, Aquino said he will bid farewell to his fellow leaders in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as thank them for their continuing support for the Philippines.

“Siyempre po, dahil ito na ang huling pagkakataon na dadalo ako sa ASEAN bilang inyong Pangulo, gagamitin din natin ang pagkakataon upang magpaalam sa mga pinuno ng Timog-Silangang Asya,” the President said in his departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 on Friday.

“Pasasalamatan natin sila sa kanilang pagtitiwala at pagsuporta sa ating pagtahak sa Daang Matuwid; sa kanilang pakikiramay sa panahon ng sakuna; sa kanilang pakikipagtulungan upang lalo pang mapaigting ang seguridad ng ating rehiyon; at sa kanilang pagiging katuwang sa pagsusulong ng mapayapa at makatuwirang resolusyon sa mga hamon na kinakaharap natin.”

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The President said he would seize the opportunity to push the country’s interests in the ASEAN so he could bring good news when he returns on Nov. 23.

He noted that the 27th ASEAN Summit is important because the trade bloc will launch the ASEAN Economic Community this month.

Through the ASEAN Community ASEAN member countries can develop their economies, enhance security, protect their people, and help the less privileged, he said.

“Ito rin po ang magpapalakas sa kakayahan ng rehiyon na makibahagi sa pandaigdigang palitan ng mga produkto, serbisyo, at kaalaman,” he stressed.

“Dahil nga po dito, mas marami tayong mabubuksang pagkakataon para ang ating mga kababayan ay makapagpakitang-gilas at makipag-ambagan sa iba’t ibang larangan.”

The regional grouping will also launch the ASEAN Vision 2025, which will set the ASEAN’s direction.

The ASEAN Vision 2025 will define the specific pathway for every member country to ensure that no one will be left behind and make the ASEAN an active participant in the global community of nations, he said.

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