Arroyo to fly to Thailand on Good Friday for Asean meeting

MANILA, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will spend the tail-end of the Holy Week working as she is set to leave for Thailand on Good Friday for a meeting with state leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said President Arroyo would tackle with Asean state leaders several measures to mitigate the effects of the global economic slump. “Continuous ang pagtatalakay sa Asean response sa global economic crisis. Kaya kahit Good Friday, pupunta ang Pangulo doon," Remonde told government-run dzRB radio in an interview. [Members of the Asean continuously discuss the responses to the global economic crisis. That’s why the President will fly to Thailand even on Good Friday.] Remonde said President Arroyo would afterward visit Dubai to meet with employers and discuss job opportunities for overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East. The press secretary added that the President might return to the country on Easter Sunday. “The trip to the two countries will take three to four days," he said. Before flying to Thailand, President Arroyo would observe the Holy Week with the First Family at the Mansion House in Baguio City, Remonde said. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV