23 November 2011-The Department of Foreign Affairs said today that Mexican First Lady Margarita Zavala arrived in the Philippines this morning at the Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for a two-day special visit.
Her visit began with a personal visit and laying of flowers at the tomb of former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino.
During the day, she will pay a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III at Malacanang, and will be honored with a lunch reception hosted by President Aquino and attended by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, members of the Cabinet, and legislators.She will meet Philippine officials in an evening reception to be hosted by Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines Tomas Calvillo.
On November 24, the Mexican First Lady will tour Fort Santiago, visit the Nayong Kabataan shelter for children, and meet with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, and Education Secretary Armin Luistro to discuss Mexico's programs for the protection and welfare of children, the prevention of drug addiction, and national census for People With Disabilities.
Her visit will be capped by a cultural gala hosted by Senator Edgardo Angara, which will showcase artist-performers of Cultural Center of the Philippines and the launching of the "Dia del Galeon" (Galleon Day) commemorative stamps.
"Dia del Galeon" is the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-instituted commemoration of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, which is celebrated by the Philippines and Mexico on October 8.
The Mexican First Lady's visit follows a visit to Mexico by Secretaries Soliman and Luistro last May 30 to June 3, who led a 17-member delegation to study the "Oportunidades" poverty alleviation program for the benchmarking of the "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program" (4Ps), the conditional cash grant program for the poorest families in the poorest municipalities.
In that same period, Secretary Ona led a delegation of PhilHealth officials to study Mexico's "Seguro Popular" (public health insurance) program in the thrust to attain 100 percent health insurance coverage for all Filipinos.
Both the "Oportunidades" and "Seguro Popular" are considered successful models for social service programs for their high positive impact and effective results in their goals of providing assistance and services to the poor. END (photo by Benjamin Remo, DFA-PISU)