PGMA arrives from successful 3-day official visit to Qatar
Tuesday, December 16, 2008


President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived this morning from a fruitful three-day official visit to Qatar where she generated for the Philippines US$1 billion in new investments and raised to another level the friendly relations of the Philippines with oil-rich Qatar, a leading destination of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The President had meet with the chief executive officers (CEOs) of several private companies employing Filipino workers as well as government officials, including executives of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). They informed the President that Qatar has 37,000 job openings for Filipino workers.

The President's chartered Philippine Airlines Flight No. 001 from Qatar touched down at the tarmac of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City at exactly 3:30 a.m.

She emerged at the arrival area of the airport’s terminal 15 minutes later at around 3:45 a.m.

She was welcomed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Innigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander Yano.

Among the President's companions who comprised her "lean contingent" to Qatar included Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves.

The President has little time for rest today as she faces a hectic schedule ahead of her, including the signing into law of Republic Act No. 9153, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act.

Also among her official engagements lined up for today are the 11th Philippine Quality Award Conferment Ceremonies; and three Cabinet meetings.