Environmentalists stage a protest at the foot of Mendiola bridge in Manila on Monday, May 4, as a send-off to President Aquino on his visit to Canada later this week. The group called on Aquino to demand that the Canadian government take back their illegal waste which has been languishing in the port of Manila. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– President Benigno Aquino III vowed closer ties, especially in terms of trade and investment, between the Philippines and Canada as he left for North America on Wednesday. In his departure speech, Aquino said among his chief missions in his working visit in the US and state visit in Canada is to lure more Canadian investors and tourists to the Philippines. ”Ang US nga po ang pangatlong major trading partner ng Pilipinas, at layon nating paigtingin pa ang pangangalakal na ito. Ngayong lumalago ang mga ekonomiya ng ating dalawang bansa, ihahayag natin ang kahandaang sulitin ang bawat pagkakataon kasama nila, at higit pang ipapakita na talagang more open for business na ang Pilipinas,” Aquino said. ”At gaya po sa Estados Unidos, susulitin natin ang pagkakataong ipakita sa mga kilalang negosyante ng Canada, at sa mga Pilipinong makakaharap natin sa Toronto at Vancouver na talagang it’s more fun na ngayon sa ating bansa.” Canada is the Philippines’ seventh top source market for tourism and 21st largest trading partner. The North American country has also designated Philippines as a ”country of focus” for assistance and ”priority emerging market” for overseas trade and investment. Read More …
