Aquino received departure honors from the Philippine Air Force before boarding a Philippine Airlines flight, radio dzBB’s Sam Nielsen reported.
The report said his delegation included:
– Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario
– National Economic and Development Authority head Arsenio Balisacan
– Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo
– Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla
– Presidential Management Staff head Julia Abad
– Budget Secretary Florencio Abad
Other officials who went to Myanmar in advance included Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Trade Secretary Cesar Purisima, and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang.
Seeing him off at the NAIA Terminal 2 were Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, presidential peace process adviser Teresita Deles, Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino.
In his departure statement, Aquino promised to strengthen ties with the Philippines’ neighbors and boost cooperation with them.
He also said the Philippines will seek to learn from the summit as part of its preparations to host the WEF on East Asia in 2014.
Aquino said he expects to meet with Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and exchange ideas with her.
He is also expected to meet with business groups during his visit, the report said.
Upon arrival in Myanmar on Friday morning, Aquino is expected to have a bilateral meeting with Myanmar President Thein Sein. He will also meet with WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.
He will also join the CEOs and businessmen in a luncheon meeting to be hosted by the Ayala Corporation, then attend the closing plenary of WEF East Asia Summit. — LBG, GMA News
