GMA leaves for Qatar today

President Arroyo is leaving for a three-day official visit to Qatar this morning to strengthen economic ties between the two countries and seek the Emirate’s assistance in forging peace in Mindanao.

Mrs. Arroyo is leaving via a commercial flight at around 7:40 a.m. after a major anti-Charter change rally in Makati City.

She was forced to cancel her trip to Shariff Kabunsuan last Thursday due to reports of explosion and discovery of an unexploded improvised device near the area of her public engagement.

But Presidential Security Group chief Brig. Gen. Celedonio Boquiren said that there was no significant threat against the President nor the seat of her government so there is no reason for her not to push through with the Qatar trip.

Expected to accompany her are Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, and Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque left ahead to lay the groundwork for discussions on Filipino workers in Qatar.

A Palace statement said Mrs. Arroyo would meet with top executives of Middle East companies employing Filipinos.

She will also touch base with the Filipino community at the Sheraton Doha Hotel and Resort, where she will stay throughout her visit.

The President is also scheduled to meet with Philippine ambassadors in the Middle East countries. Her session with the envoys is expected to touch on the impact of the global economic crisis on Filipino job placements.

“A not-so-subliminal message of this trip is the President’s solidarity with, and concern for, the Filipino expatriate workers amid a deepening global economic crisis that has already chopped off thousands of jobs worldwide, especially in the countries hardest hit by the financial squeeze,” the statement said.

Mrs. Arroyo said the region has not been affected by the financial contagion compared to other countries “but having said that, there have been contingency measures that have been done to address the possible effects” on Filipino workers.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila earlier said the President would witness the signing of the Joint Economic Cooperation Agreement that would not only strengthen ties but boost the economies of the two countries.

He said the agreement would pave the way for deeper cooperative ventures on free trade, customs, labor and other economic sectors.

“We hope to have our economic relations with Qatar mature and flourish,” Favila told The STAR.

Esperon said the Philippines views Qatar as an “international guarantor” in peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.     – With Marvin Sy