Aquino upbeat after trip

THE PRESIDENT IS HOME President Aquino is welcomed home by Vice President Jejomar Binay and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. as he arrives at Ninoy Aquino International Airport late Thursday night after a 12-day tour of Europe and the United States. The President announced $2.3 billion in investment pledges from foreign businesses. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III was upbeat upon his return from a 12-day trip in the United States and Europe, announcing the prospect of 33,000 jobs in the offing.

In a speech addressed to the members of his Cabinet and the media upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 2 Thursday midnight, Aquino enumerated all the accomplishments he came during the back-to-back trip in Europe and the United States.

Mr. Aquino also reported about Coco-Cola completing its promised $1 billion worth of investment in the country before 2015 and the possibility of German car manufacturer Volkswagen setting up a global manufacturing hub in the country.

“All these investments will widely benefit our countrymen,” Aquino said.

“In this trip, (Coca-Cola) reported that all its investments have flowed into the country even before the start of 2014,” he said.

“We have also encouraged Volkswagen to set up its global manufacturing hub in the country. It will benefit from the country’s rising middle class, strategic location, skilled workers,” he said.

The President was confident that with the $2.3 billion worth of “sure” investments his trip had brought in, 33,850 jobs would be created.

RELATED STORIES

Aquino gains investments, diplomatic support from 12-day foreign trip

Toyota’s Ty, Volkswagen’s Ayala in Philippines’ richest list

Coca-Cola shares the happiest way of saying thank you