MANILA, June 6 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III returned to the country on Friday with Php 13.5 billion investment pledges and Php 136.9 billion loans from his four-day state visit to Japan.
The President was welcomed at the arrival area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by Cabinet members, including Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, DOH Secretary Janette Garin, and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez.
During the trip, President Aquino received Php 13.5 billion investment pledges from 11 companies which signed letters of intent to open or expand their operations in the Philippines.
The President cited the plan of clothing company Uniqlo, which currently has 22 outlets in the country, to add 200 more shops.
He said the other companies were into manufacturing of electric tricycles, printers, smart glasses and medical devices such as aortic catheter, invitro diagnostics and for hemodialysis treatment.
“Sa pagdadala nila ng mga produktong ito sa Pilipinas, malinaw na lumalawak ang pagkilala ng mundo sa talino at talento ng Pilipino,” said President Aquino, adding that some companies have expressed plans to make the Philippines their center of operations in the ASEAN region.
“Dahil alam naman nating kapag mas mataas sa value chain ang produktong nililikha ay mas mataas din ang pasahod at mas mabilis na matatamasa ang ginhawa at dignidad ng buhay para sa nakakaraming Pilipino,” said the President of the investment pledges that can generate around 30,721 jobs.
The Philippines and Japan also signed agreements in health, maritime safety and trade as well as a concessional loan amounting to Php136.9 billion for huge infrastructure projects.
“Dagdag pa pong good news ang sari-saring mga kasunduang nilagdaan sa pagitan ng Japan at ng Pilipinas partikular sa mga sektor ng kalusugan, maritime safety, at kalakalan,” said President Aquino.
“Ito pong concessional loan ang pautang na sobrang gaan ng interes at ipinagkakaloob ng kaibigan sa kanyang kapwa kaibigan. Nagpapakita po ito ng kagustuhang tunay na makatulong kaysa maging pabigat,” the President added.
President Aquino and Japanese Prime Minister Abe also signed a Joint Declaration on Strengthened Strategic Partnership.
“Tunay nga pong pinapalalim ang ugnayan ng ating mga bansa sa maraming sektor, kabilang na ang seguridad. Napapanahon po itong pagtaas ng antas ng ating relasyon sa Japan sa harap ng mga banta sa estabilidad sa West Philippine Sea,” said the President.
“Ang mahalaga nga po ay nakikita nating nagtutugma ang mga prinsipyo ng Japan at Pilipinas tungkol sa paggalang sa mga karapatan ng bawat bansa, sa malayang paglalayag sa international waters, at sa paghahari ng batas at mapayapang ugnayan upang matugunan ang anumang di-pagkakaintindihan. Sa tulong nga po ng Japan, natatawag ang pansin ng mas marami pang mga bansa sa sitwasyon sa mga dagat ng Asya,” he added. (PNA)