Gov. Aumentado, Gov. Magsaysay and Gov. Lazaro pose with Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the other members of her official delegation to China before the new Rizal Shrine in Siongque Village, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, Southern China after the chief executive after the wreath-laying ceremonies during her official visit to China late last month.

Gov. Aumentado leads other officials in PGMA China Visit

LEAGUE president and Bohol Gov. Aumentado led the list of local officials who joined the official delegation of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her trip to the People’s Republic of China from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3, 2006.

The delegation of governors accompanied the president on her five-day mission to China in order to bolster regional solidarity, ensure the peace and security of the Philippines and promote the welfare of the Filipinos.

Aside from Aumentado, Pres. Arroyo’s entourage of governors included Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, Teresita Lazaro of Laguna, Vicente Magsaysay of Zambales and Loreto Leo Ocampos of Misamis Occidental.

In a statement, the President said that nothing is more important for the Philippines than peace and prosperity. “My most sacred pledge as President is to keep our nation strong and security and to promote the common welfare.”

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnesses the exchange of documents between Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado (left) and Jiangxi Gov. Huang Zhiquan (right), following signing of a Framework Agreement on Further Enhancing Friendly Exchanges and Cooperation between Jiangxi Province and Bohol Province in ceremonies on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, at the Hayden Hall of the Sofitel Trilec Hotel in Nanchang.

The President said her trip also puts the spotlight on the role played by ASEAN in integrating China into the global economy. “China is now a powerhouse and I am proud that ASEAN and the Philippines have played a role in their success.”

She said the country’s relations with China will not only strengthen security in the region, but bolster the Philippine economy through new investments and new markets.

“We can and must continue to lift up our poor and improve our quality of life with good jobs and good wages. International engagement has helped us attain growth; it will continue to do so,” she added.

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia is flanked by Boholano officials who formed part of the official delegation of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to China shortly after the signing of the Framework Agreement on Further Enhancing Friendly Exchanges and Cooperation between Jiangxi province and Bohol province in ceremonies at the Hayden Hall of the Sofitel Trilec Hotel in Nanchang. With her are (left to right) Sagbayan mayor Jimmy Torrefranca, Vice-Gov. Julius Herrera, Tagbilaran City mayor Dan Lim, German philantrophist Hans Schoof, Gov. Erico Aumentado and Misamis Occidental Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos.

President Arroyo, Aumentado and the Philippine delegation left for Xiamen last Oct. 27 and visited Xiamen, Jin Jiang, Nanchang, Guilin, Nanning and Hong Kong.

In Nanning, Pres. Arroyo signed protocols to improve the Philippines’ trade and investment relations with China. She also had a tete-a-tete with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

While in Nanchang, Gov. Aumentado took the opportunity to sign the six protocols with Gov. Huang Zhiquan – the latter’s last official act as his term ended last Oct. 31.

The framework agreement promotes the economic and social development of the two provinces that will encourage and support mutual visits as well as professional and technical exchanges include the areas of agriculture, tourism, mining, and culture, sports and education.

Bearing witness to the signing of the agreements were Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Trade and Industry Sec. Peter Favila. (PIA with reports from June S. Blanco)

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