Aquino supports 2 ASEAN ‘master plans’ on communication, connectivity

The Philippines supports two Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Master Plans—one on communications and another on connectivity—which it considers as key to “building an ASEAN community that cares about its people, their rights and welfare," President Benigno Aquino III said. In his statement during the ASEAN Leaders' Retreat in Hanoi, Vietnam on Thursday night, the president said the Philippines supports the early finalization of the ASEAN Communication Master Plan, and is prepared to contribute funds to support ASEAN communication activities. Aquino also said the Philippines is particularly interested in “improving our physical links with our neighbors in the region, since we are geographically separated" from mainland Asia. In this light, the country initiated the inclusion of the ASEAN Roll On-Roll Off (RO-RO) network in the ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan “as a way of supplementing road linkages with maritime access to improve connectivity within the region," the President added. (See: ASEAN to adopt connectivity master plan) In the same statement, Aquino also welcomed the Hanoi Declaration on the Enhancement of Welfare and Development of ASEAN Women and Children, which he said "fosters cooperation to improve the condition of women and children and to promote and engage their participation in ASEAN Community Building which we deem important." Aquino said the Declaration shows the ASEAN's commitment to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce child mortality, to improve maternal health and to combat infectious diseases. Aquino said the Philippines also backs the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on Human Resources and Skills Development for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Growth. The Statement "fosters technical cooperation and capacity building, promotes public-private sector cooperation, enhances the quality and skills of workers in the ASEAN and promotes lifelong learning," said the president. Aquino also reiterated that the Philippines wants ASEAN countries and China to maintain peace and stability on the South China Sea, where territories such as the Spratly Islands are being disputed. Aquino has been in Vietnam since Tuesday. He undertook a state visit on Tuesday to Wednesday, and will attend the ASEAN summit that will last until Saturday. He is expected to return to Manila Sunday.—Jam L. Sisante/JV