Noy prunes down list of delegation for US trip to 57 By Aytch S. de la Cruz 09/19/2010

Noy prunes down list of delegation for US trip to 57
By Aytch S. de la Cruz
09/19/2010

President Benigno Aquino has further narrowed down to 57 the number of individuals whom he has allowed to join him in his week-long working visit to the United States in keeping with his desire to have a leaner delegation, Malacañang yesterday said.

Around 80 individuals were initially listed down by Malacañang to escort Aquino in his first international tour since his inauguration as President but decided to gradually reduce this number given the financial constraints his office was strictly observing.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. earlier had announced that only P25 million was apportioned to fund Aquino’s six-day working visit to the US which, he claimed, covers only one-third of what former President Arroyo used to spend during her travels there that grossed at around P76 million.

Ochoa conveyed that, with this relatively smaller budget

, the public is rest assured of getting beyond issues of controversial trips and lavish dinners,citing Aquino’s preference to stay at cheaper hotels and take his meals at hotdog stands..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100919hed2.html