By Janice Cave
MANILA, (PNA) — Senate President Franklin Drilon was part of the official delegation to the state visit in South Korea because he would like to personally extend his appreciation for a river project funded by the Korean government in his hometown, a Palace official on Friday said.
Drilon was the proponent of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project in Iloilo which has a counterpart funding from the Korean government.
“As a sign of appreciation, Senator Drilon became part of the delegation to convey the appreciation, the help that was extended,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a media briefing.
Critics have questioned Drilon’s presence in the delegation for the two-day trip, as it is rare that a lawmaker has joined Aquino’s state visits.
In 2011, the Philippine and Korean governments signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the P13-billion Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project-Stage II, a priority irrigation project of the Department of Agriculture.