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First Lady Meets Republic of the Philippines President |
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President Arroyo discusses spring 2009 visit among other issues during refueling stop at Guam International Airport
February 8, 2009
First Lady Joann G. Camacho today met with Philippine President Gloria M. Arroyo during a brief stopover in Guam. First Lady Joann discussed the possibility of a visit to Guam by President Arroyo during a future trip to North America.
"I was pleasantly surprised by her acceptance of my invitation to visit Guam," said First Lady Joann. "President Arroyo is very interested in coming back to Guam for a longer period of time to meet the thousands of Filipinos who call our island home."
During President Arroyo's 45-minute visit, First Lady Joann discussed the impending Guam Buildup and shared her thoughts on the advocacy of literacy, early childhood education and combating homelessness. Their brief conversation included what is being done to address the island's labor needs during the military expansion, in which more than 25,000 workers from outside of Guam are expected to participate in the relocation of the Marines from Okinawa. Through a revised federal law, many of these workers are expected to come from the Philippines.
"The President of the Philippines was concerned about the infrastructure that is in place to welcome the visiting laborers from her country and assured me that the process will be closely worked out between her government and Governor Camacho," said First Lady Joann.
President Arroyo's visit to the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport was for a refueling stop on her way back to Manila from San Francisco, California. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo, Secretary of Trade and Industry Peter Favila and a number of Philippine Legislators joined President Arroyo during the brief stopover. Photos of this visit are forthcoming.
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