President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions from the media during the press briefing after gracing the 7th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting (ANCM) at the Ballroom 2, Raffles and Fairmont Hotel in Makati Avenue, Makati City on Tuesday (September 10). With theme: “Partnership for Peace and Prosperity” to highlight the need for strengthened cooperation among the ASEAN Navies for peace, stability and progress in the ASEAN region. (MNS Photo).
MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday vowed to bring home more investments and forge stronger ties on his first state visit to South Korea.
In his pre-departure speech, President Aquino underscored the importance of having renewed ties with South Korea whose nationals remain as one of the top tourists entering the country in recent years.
“Tayo naman po ay tutungo ngayon sa South Korea, upang asikasuhin naman ang kinabukasan habang inaasikaso natin ang kasalukuyan. Alam po ng lahat na marami pong investors na galing sa Korea, layon po natin lalo pang dagdagan ang kanilang investments sa ating pong bansa,” President Aquino said.
The President pushed through with his South Korea trip after visiting quake affected areas in the Central Visayas region.
President Aquino said other key Cabinet members are now overseeing relief operations in devastated areas.
“May mga nagtanong po kung dapat tayo tumuloy matapos ng nangyari na lindol sa Kabisayaan. Ang sagot po natin dito: Habang inaasikaso nga ho ang kasalukuyan, dapat naman ho siguro huwag natin pabayaan ang kinabukasan,” he added.
The Chief Executive said that aside from tourism, his other agenda in South Korea is to reestablish the country’s relationship with South Korea.
“Palakasin rin sa larangan ng turismo, na siyang nagiging daan ng kabuhayan ng marami po nating mga kababayan, at ang muli po, ay lalong paigtingin pa ang ating ugnayan sa bansang South Korea sa pamamagitan ng marami pang agreements na ating inaasahan mapirmahan itong araw na ito,” he said.
He added: “Alam po natin na talagang matindi nga ang naging ugnayan na sa ilang dekada sa bansang South Korea, at lagi rin po nga natin na talagang tangkilikin ang kanilang pag-aasikaso sa atin dito sa pag-iimbita, at kauna-unahang State Visit sa panahon ng Presidente Park”.
President Aquino will be back home Friday night.(MNS)