In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tan will be in the Philippines from April 2 to 5 to meet with President Benigno Aquino III on defense, trade and investment, and the Filipino community in Singapore.
Tan will also fly to Basey town in Western Samar, one of the areas affected by Yolanda, to give medical supplies to a local hospital, the DFA said.
In Manila, the Singaporean leader will also hand over donations, contributed by the people of Singapore, to the partners of the Singapore Red Cross involved in the post-Yolanda rehabilitation projects.
In November last year, Yolanda ripped through central Philippines, leaving over 6,200 dead based on official government records.
Tan, Singapore’s ceremonial head, will be accompanied by several ministers and members of the Singaporean parliament during his visit, according to the DFA.
Over 180,000 Filipinos are working in Singapore as of December 2012, based on Philippine government records.
In 2011, Aquino went on a state visit to Singapore, where he discussed the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China, tourism and trade with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. —Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News
