Aquino Parades Government Gains
MANILA,
Philippines — Citing the big gains in the Philippine economy, particularly the
record jump in the stock market, President Benigno S. Aquino III proclaimed
that “we are on the threshold of transforming this country, our society, and
the lives of our people."
Speaking
during the 20th anniversary of the Anvil Business Club at a hotel in Makati
City last Friday, the President confidently predicted that the best is yet to
come for the country.
Earlier
in the day the Philippine Stock Exchange index hit 5,145.89 points, a new high.
"Who
could have imagined, two years ago, that our stock market would set record
highs 21 times in as many months in office by this administration? Just
Saturday, it closed at 5,145.89. I would like it to grow bigger, with more
record highs than my months in service. And I think that is very
possible," Aquino said.
With
greater cooperation between government and the private sector, Aquino expressed
belief that the best is yet to come for the country.
"We
are on the road to becoming one of the world’s more successful economies: HSBC
(Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) recently predicted that by the
year 2050 we will be the 16th largest economy in the world. Of course this is
still a long way off, but two years ago, how many people imagined that we would
be receiving such distinctions?," he said.
"How
many people thought that when agencies like the Japanese JETRO agency surveyed
Japanese firms in Asia and Oceania, that their conclusions would say that we
have significant advantages, as far as cost of doing business, the supply and
quality of labor, and employee salaries, compared to other countries in the
region? Making us, in fact, the number one business destination in Asia,
whether in the manufacturing or service sectors," the President stressed.
At the
same time, the President also asked for greater cooperation between management
and labor.
"This
is just the start. Management has the vision and the resources; workers have
the wherewithal to use those resources and make that vision a reality. Imagine
what heights we can soar to, if management and labor can propel each other
upward by truly working together," Aquino said.
"We
can, and we have already been doing it. The challenge before us is to
accelerate this transformation further. Together, it will be done," Aquino
said.
The
President also said he hopes to attract 10 million tourists to the Philippines
annually by 2016 as he revealed a proposal to reserve 78 new ecotourism sites.
“There
are about 14 million tourists who visit Thailand, about 22-24 million visit
Malaysia. In comparison when we got it to office there was only three million
that visit the Philippines, so therefore this is an experience that has yet to
be experienced by a lot more of the citizens of the world," he said during
the forum following his speech.
Aquino
underscored the importance of upgrading the country's airports.
"Once
the upgrades in the airports, in particular, have been achieved, and we have
approved upgrades to Kalibo, Caticlan, Puerto Princesa, Laguindingan in Cagayan
de Oro, and others, and of course, Clark will not be left behind. Then this
will make travel easier," he said.
Aquino,
who is barely two years in office, said he feels he is already on his fourth
year. The President's term will end at noon of June 30, 2016.
His
consolation is that at least his administration is "a little quieter"
than that of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino, who had to fend
several coup d'etats.
"Well,
for one thing I had not to content with nine coup d’etats so it’s a little
quieter. The other thing is of course, I think, I did say in my speech that I’m
standing on the shoulders of those that came before us. So I was not thrust
into it and expected---you know, it’s like being thrust into deep end of the
pool. At least I was wading in the shallow end of the pool during my mother’s
term that gave me some ideas of what to expect when I got here," Aquino
said.
He said
there are a lot of "good news" about the Philippines' economic gains
though they are hardly reported in the local media.
JC
BELLO RUIZ
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