Aquino's 1-day Japan trip costs P8.8M

MANILA, Philippines — The government spent about P8.8 million for President Benigno Aquino III's working visit to Japan on Tuesday.

This was according to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said in its website.

The PCOO also said that Aquino, who left this morning for Tokyo via a chartered flight, had a 41-member delegation.

Among those who accompanied the President were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

Funding for Aquino's visit covers transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of the President and his delegation.

Earlier, Aquino met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and discussed areas of cooperation and regional security concerns, among other issues.

He expressed support to Abe's proposal to expand the role of the Japanese military to enable it to help allies.

Read: Aquino: Beneficial if Japan can defend allies under attack

He then proceeded to Hiroshima to deliver a keynote address at the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference, an event organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia.

The PCOO said Aquino will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park before returning home Tuesday night.

In his predeparture speech earlier, Aquino assured that his visit to Japan will be worthwhile.

"Mamayang gabi na rin po ang uwi natin, at ngayon pa lang ay nakikita na natin ang positibong bunga ng biyaheng ito," Aquino said.