OTTAWA, Canada (The Adobo Chronicles) – Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino sets foot in Canada this week for a state visit – the first by a Philippine president since 1997 – upon the invitation of Governor General David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“In my visit, we will witness the signing of several memorandums of understanding that will strengthen ties between the Philippines and Canada. We will also thank their government and their people for all their support,” Aquino said.

What Aquino is saying in public is, however, very different from his real mission in visiting this North American country.

Aquino’s primary goal is to raise the issue of illegal Canadian trash in the Philippines when he meets with Harper.

Fifty containers of reeking Canadian garbage, including used adult diapers, have been languishing in the port of Manila for almost two years, sparking recent protests in the Philippines by environmental activists and public health officials.

Chronic Inc., a plastics exporter based in Whitby, Ontario shipped the containers — supposedly filled with recyclable Vancouver plastics — to the Philippines in the spring and summer of 2013. But upon inspection, the country’s Bureau of Customs found the containers were filled with stinking household garbage, including used adult diapers and kitchen waste.

So, truth be told. Aquino’s state visit seeks to repair his country’s trashy relations with Canada.