Information on Aquino’s Toronto visit

Information on Aquino’s Toronto visit

President Benigno Aquino’s visit to Toronto today, May 8, involves two main activities: a roundtable with prominent members of the Canadian business community; and a community reception by invitation only.

The roundtable which aims to explore opportunities for trade and investment with the Philippines, is hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), with support from Sun Life Financial and in association with the Canadian ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Council. Its purpose is to explore opportunities for trade and investment with the Philippines.

The community reception is hosted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and will be held at 4:30 p.m. at Roy Thomson Hall.

The community meeting is strictly by invitation only, with guests required to present the personalized non-transferrable invitation as well as a valid government-issued photo ID at the entrance. Guests are warned in the official invitation that “access to the event will be denied without proper identification.” It also notes that “bags, knapsacks will not be permitted.” Personal photographs and video footages are not allowed during this event.

Guests are asked to register upon arrival at the main entrance of Roy Thomson Hall with registration opening at 3:00 pm and closing at 4:30 pm, at which time they are expected to be seated. Dress code is specified to be either the national costume or business attire.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Benigno Aquino III, President of the Philippines, will deliver remarks at 5:15 pm, the formal invitation states.

Meanwhile, members of the media wanting to cover the event are informed in another official advisory from the Prime Minister’s Office that they should arrive no later than 4:30 p.m. Media are required to present proper identification for accreditation.

Information from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding media coverage was received by The Philippine Reporter and other media organizations yesterday, Thursday May 7, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. The link to the media advisory was sent from the PMO Press Office thru e-mail by the Philippine Consulate General of Toronto.