Noy won’t cut short Europe trip amid Mario’s onslaught

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said yesterday President Aquino is receiving updates from his Cabinet members while he is out of the country.

He said the President is not inclined to cut short his foreign trip despite the impact of Tropical Storm Mario, which caused floods and disrupted classes and work in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

“The President is committed to fulfilling all his international commitments and while he is abroad, he continues to keep in touch with his official family,” Lacierda said in a text message to reporters.

Aquino is in Europe for a working visit that started last Sept. 13 and will end today. The visit involved meetings with leaders, investors and Filipino communities in Spain, Belgium, France and Germany.

After the eight-day trip, Aquino will fly to the United States to attend the United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York on Sept. 23. He will also speak at Harvard University in Boston. He is scheduled to return to the Philippines on Sept. 25.

Lacierda said Aquino is given regular updates about the typhoon.

He said the President gives instructions to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., who has been tasked to run the affairs of the Office of the President.

Palace officials said Aquino wants to make sure that all agencies involved in disaster response are performing their roles.

“The President wanted to make sure that all agencies are doing what they are supposed to do,” Ochoa said in a press briefing.

“We are on top (of the situation). Everyone is complying,” he said.