President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is set for an official visit to Vietnam this week, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Sunday.
This will be the first visit of Duterte in Vietnam since he assumed the presidency last June 30.
The Palace official, however, has yet to confirm on who will be the officials and groups the President will meet during his trip to Hanoi.
He noted that Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, who will accompany the President in his trip, has lined up programs related to trade and commerce
While the President is in Vietnam, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will again head the caretaker committee to oversee government operations.
Meanwhile, with regard to Typhoon ‘‘Helen,’’ that threatens Batanes, Andanar said all concerned agencies continue to monitor the weather disturbance.
“At ito po’y sa pangunguna ni Undersecretary Ric Jalad. At ang ating DSWD ay handa naman para tumugon sa anumang problema,” he said.
Batanes is still recovering from the devastation brought by Super Typhoon ‘‘Ferdie,’’ which hit the island province last September 13.