Arroyo off to NZ, Australia for mining, climate change deals

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left Sunday afternoon for New Zealand and Australia to lure businessmen there to invest in the country’s mining sector, radio dzBB reported. The report said Arroyo, who left on board a chartered Philippine Airlines flight from Manila, past 5 p.m., will also sign a defense agreement with Australia. She reportedly left with Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Trade Secretary Peter Favilla and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap. DzBB said the President will also forge alliance with the two countries in their moves to protect the environment from the worsening effects of climate change. Mrs Arroyo will stay in New Zealand for three days and spend time with Prime Minister Helen Clark before she goes to Australia, dzBB said. In Australia, the President will join Prime Minister John Howard, where the two are expected to sign a defense cooperation agreement under the SOFA or Status of Forces Agreement. Arroyo said the SOFA “will help professionalize the Philippine Armed Forces, provide new equipment and strengthen our fight against terrorism." "In Australia and New Zealand, we will once again be advancing our economic as well as security interests through meetings with private investors and businesses interested in locating in the Philippines. We will continue to promote the benefits of the Philippines with every ounce of our energy," Arroyo said. - GMANews.TV