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 “President 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.

“In this trip, our President wishes to further advance our strategic cooperation with Japan, our friend for more than half a century now. We always look forward to stronger bilateral relations with one of our important partners in the region," Ochoa said. While in Japan, Aquino will pay a state call on Emperor Akihito and meet with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, to discuss issues to further advance the two countries’ strategic partnership. Other highlights of the working visit include a keynote speech at the Philippine Economic Forum and meetings with major business groups, among them Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation, Japan-Tokyo Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Japan Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee. Aquino will also witness the signing of several memoranda of agreement on new investment projects in energy, mining, property development, automotive, ship-building and infrastructure development under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. Top officials of big Japanese companies are also scheduled to meet with the President. Aquino is also set to meet the Filipino community in Tokyo and in Miyagi, one of the prefectures in northeastern Japan hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11. He will return on September 28. — LBG/HS, GMA News