PNoy hopes to learn how Japan copes with disaster
President Noynoy Aquino will fly to Japan on Sunday eager to learn how Japan, an island nation like the Philippines prone to natural disasters, copes with such emergencies, according to deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview on government-run dzRB radio. She said Aquino's delegation hopes to gain lessons from the Japanese people's civic-mindedness and disaster preparedness. According to her, the Japanese still strived to pay their taxes days after a devastating magnitude-9 quake and a 10-meter-high tsunami that hit the country last March 11. She said âPresident Aquino is mainly interested in disaster preparedness, particularly in how the Japanese managed to cope with the twin tragedies that hit them." Meanwhile, Malacañang said Saturday that President Aquino's visit to Japan will cost some P20 million. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said Aquino and his 63-member delegation will fly to Japan via a special commercial flight Sunday morning. "According to Ochoa, the P20-million budget covers expenses for the special commercial flight, hotel accommodations, food, transportation, and telecommunications and equipment requirements," Malacañang said in a statement. Also, it said the visit is expected to bring in some $1 billion in fresh investments and more than Y9 billion (P5.1188 billion) in official development assistance. Expected to accompany Aquino are:
- Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario
- Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo
- Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima
- Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II
- Energy Secretary Rene Almendras.