Aquino invites South Korea to invest in RP
HANOI (via PLDT and Smart): President Benigno S. Aquino III has invited South Korea through its President Lee Myung-Bak to invest in the Philippines during the two-leader’s bilateral meeting Friday morning at the sidelines of the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit at the National Convention Center here.
In a press conference with Philippine media Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning head Ramon A. Carandang said prospective South Korean investors could avail of the Aquino administration’s public-private partnership program.
“We also took the opportunity to invite the Koreans to send a delegation to the PPP conference in November,” he said.
Earlier, Carandang said President Aquino had invited the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam through its Sultan Yang Dipertuan Negara Hassanal Bolkiah to invest in the Philippines also under the PPP.
The meeting, which Carandang described as casual, provided the Philippines an opportunity to thank South Korea “for its support in investments and trade and the growing amount of assistance that they are providing for different projects in the Philippines.”
“The Koreans are the largest group of tourists coming into the country lately and so we’ve also assured them that we are taking steps to improve the security situation so that they do not have to worry about their safety,” he said.
Carandang said the President also offered Philippine assistance in the Six-Party Talks of which South Korea is a part.
“We leave it up to the six-party countries to decide if they want to take us up on the offer. Anything from participating as a mediator to hosting possible talks was offered by President Aquino so we are eager to see if the six-party talks move forward and if there’s anything the Philippines can do to help, we will do so,” Carandang said.
The Six-Party Talks are aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program through a negotiating process involving China, the United States, North and South Korea, Japan, and Russia. (PCOO)
Public-private partnership conference to be held next month – Purisima
HANOI (via PLDT and Smart): The Philippines will launch its public-private partnership program which aims to accelerate the financing, construction and operation of key government infrastructure projects, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said Friday.
In a press conference held at the sidelines of the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit being held at the National Convention Center here, Purisima said the conference will be held from November 18 to 19.
This is part of the program of the President to really address the three main issues that has held back the economic growth of the Philippines in the past 20 years,” Purisima said enumerating these issues as the infrastructure gap, corruption and bureaucracy policies.
“We are looking back at over 15 years of experience in PPP in the Philippines and we’re making adjustments to make sure that moving forward, we avoid some of the problems that we faced in the past years,” Purisima said.
Principally the changes will be on: 1) focusing more on solicited projects that are more transparent compared to unsolicited projects; 2) guaranteeing regulatory risks, when possible; and 3) creating a financing environment that will allow proponents to get funding up to 25 years.
The PPP program was created through President Aquino’s issuance of Executive Order Number 8 transferring the Build-Operate-Transfer Center under the helm of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in a bid to hasten the implementation of public-private partnership programs.
The center, which was named Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines, aims to accelerate the financing, construction and operation of key government infrastructure projects.
The center is expected to extend assistance to all local government units and other government instrumentalities in the implementation of projects, provide advisory services in project preparation and development, recommend policies with regard to program implementation, monitor all projects and programs, and manage and administer the revolving fund to be called the Project Development and Monitoring Facility. (PCOO)
Aquino underscores role of China in 6-party talks
HANOI (via PLDT-Smart): President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday urged China to use its influence to move forward the six-party talks.
The President issued the call during the 13th ASEAN-China Summit held here at the National Convention Center.
The six-party talks aim to find a peaceful resolution to the security concerns as a result of the North Korean nuclear weapons program. There has been a series of meetings with six participating states –North Korea, South Korea, China, Russia and Japan.. These talks were a result of North Korea withdrawing from the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty in 2003. Apparent gains following the fourth and fifth rounds were reversed by outside events.
Five rounds of talks from 2003 to 2007 produced little progress until the third phase of the fifth round of talks, when North Korea agreed to shut down its nuclear facilities in exchange for fuel aid and steps towards the normalization of relations with the United States and Japan. Responding angrily to the UN Statement issued on April 13, 2009 that condemned the North Korean failed satellite launch, North Korea declared on April 14, 2009 that it would pull out of Six Party Talks and that it would resume its nuclear enrichment program in order to boost its nuclear deterrent. North Korea has also expelled all nuclear inspectors from the country.
Presidential Strategic Planning and Development Office Secretary Ramon Carandang, in a press briefing here, said that the Philippines proposal of increased connectivity and disaster management was eagerly supported by the Chinese among many other things.
Carandang also said that the South China Sea issue was also tackled during the meeting where it was learned that there are going to be talks before the end of the year and a technical committee is fleshing out the details of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
On the other hand, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said China has proposed a very detailed 2nd five-year plan of action that has six major points ---to promote the sustainable and sound development of the free trade area as they noted that bilateral trade is up 43 percent in the first nine months of 2010.with China having a deficit of over 12 million dollars.
Second, Purisima said that China proposed the opening of the financial and capital markets, as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged all Asean countries to set up banks in China and he will also encourage Chinese banks to set up banks in ASEAN countries.
Purisima further said that the Chinese Premier wanted to increase the bilateral currency swap that was agreed in the past and proposed the creation of a China-Asean interbank association.
China also proposed the strengthening of the regional cooperation in agro- economy with the setting up of 20 experimental stations and the training of a thousand agriculture personnel in China from Asean, as well as the building of three new agro-industrial centers in ASEAN.
Also included in China’s proposal was the implementation of the sustainable development agenda and the mutual understanding and trust between China and Asean preparatory to the celebration of the 20th anniversary of friendship between China and ASEAN next year.
The Leaders welcomed the implementation of the ASEAN-China Free TradeArea (ACFTA) and other related agreements started from 1st January2010. China has now become ASEAN’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade amounted to over USD 200 billion.
Likewise, the two sides agreed to effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and enhance cooperation toward the adoption of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), for peace, stability and cooperation in the region while disputes shall be settled peacefully in conformity with international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS). It was noted that cooperation to address regional and international issues of common interest was necessary, particularly non-traditional challenges facing the region.
On this occasion, the Leaders witnessed the launching of the ASEAN-China website that provides updated information on the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. (PCOO)
ASEAN leaders hold talks with China, Japan and Korea in Hanoi
HANOI (via PLDT-SMART): Leaders of ASEAN countries and their counterparts from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea met Friday for the 13th ASEAN plus Three Summit.
The Leaders were gratified with the achievements in ASEAN+3 cooperation, citing the effective implementation of the 2nd Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation, with activities now covering 24 different areas.
The Leaders welcomed the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) in March 2010; the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO); the establishment of ASEAN Plus Three Bond Market Forum (ABMF) and the Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF); the studies on an East Asia Free Trade Area (EAFTA) in parallel with the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA), and setting up of an ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) as a permanent mechanism to ensure food security in the region.
On the future direction of the ASEAN+3 process, the Leaders agreed to undertake practical measures to effectively realize all agreements, particularly the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan. This included enhancing cooperation on financial-currency issues; promoting cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, transportation and infrastructure development through both bilateral and regional channels toward stronger economic linkages in the region.
Regional and international issues of common interest were also discussed, which include coordination for the ASEAN Chair’s participation at the forthcoming G-20 Summit in Seoul, Korea, the COP-16 on Climate Change in Mexico, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, among others.
The 3rd ASEAN-United Nations Summit also took place on Friday with the ASEAN leaders and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon noting that this year is significant as both ASEAN and UN mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the UN, the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN-UN Summit.
The Leaders noted with satisfaction positive developments of the ASEAN-UN relationship over the year, with the fine outcome of realizing the Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN-UN Cooperation, especially the effective cooperation to assist Myanmar overcome the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.
It was also agreed that the Framework for Joint Action 2011-2012 ought to be realized and the ASEAN and UN Secretariats were tasked to explore concrete measures for its implementation. This meant maintaining a regular dialogue mechanism for both agencies on the sideline of the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly. (PCOO)
Palace welcomes DOJ move to re-open Glorietta bombing
Malacanang welcomes the move of the Department of Justice to re-open the investigation of the Glorietta 2 Mall blast on October 19, 2007 that killed 11 people and injured more than 100 others.
In a radio interview Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Dela Fuente-Valte said the re-opening of the case might put an end to speculations and determine the kind of explosion that ripped through the Glorietta 2 Mall three years ago.
“We welcome the move of the DOJ,” Valte said noting that the re-investigation of the case is another positive move initiated by the Justice department.
On Friday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered a new investigation of the Glorietta Mall explosion following the claim of a retired colonel that an improvised high explosive and not a build-up of methane gas was the cause of the blast.
In Department Order No. 716 that she issued on Oct. 26, De Lima instructed Senior State Prosecutor Peter Ong and State Prosecutor Gino Paolo Santiago “to conduct a fact-finding investigation/validation of facts on the cause of the explosion” at the upscale mall in Makati City.
Valte said it is better for everybody to wait for the new report and recommendations to be released by the DOJ after the 45-day fact-finding investigation/validation. (PCOO)
ASEAN leaders invite US, Russia to East Asian Summit in 2011
HANOI (via PLDT-SMART): The leaders of the 10 member nations of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), including President Benigno S. Aquino III, and the heads of state/government of China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India formally invited Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US President Barack Obama to participate in the 6th East Asian Summit (EAS) in 2011.
The invitation was relayed to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who were special guests of the 5th EAS held on Saturday at the Hanoi National Convention Center. .
In making the decision to invite Russia and the US to the 6th EAS came after the leaders noted that the expansion of the East Asia Summit and the evolving regional architecture is essential in ensuring ASEAN centrality.
“The Leaders welcomed the pro-active participation and constructive contribution of external partners in dealing with emerging challenges facing the region. Taking into account the desire and the potential of contribution by Russia and the United States to this open and inclusive forum, the 5th EAS decided to officially invite Russia and the United States to participate in the EAS in 2011,” the EAS statement said.
The participation of Russia and the United States in the EAS shall be based on the respect for the principles, objectives, modalities and priorities of the EAS, and support for the major role of ASEAN.
The Leaders also agreed to intensify cooperation in five priority areas, namely education, finance, energy, disaster management and avian flu prevention, while exploring the possibilities of cooperation in some new areas like post-crisis recovery, sustainable development, climate change, among other issues. (PCOO)
Aquino optimistic about ASEAN joining G20 Summit in November
HANOI (via PLDT-SMART) - President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed hope that the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the G20 Summit will be institutionalized.
In his statement at the 13th ASEAN +3 Summit here, the President noted South Korea’s support for the ASEAN Chair’s participation in the upcoming G20 Summit in Seoul.
South Korea is this year’s summit chair.
“Our march towards a more equitably progressive region should not be stymied,” the President said. It remains our collective goal to enhance the resilience of the regional economy against international volatility and external shocks.”
The President further said that next month’s Summit in Seoul is an excellent opportunity for ASEAN to raise issues of common interest.
He added that accelerating reforms in international financial institutions to ensure their inclusiveness and equitability are among the Philippines’ concerns.
“As we in the global south cooperate among ourselves, there remains a need to establish a framework for sustainable growth and development through closer coordination between G20 countries and non-G20 countries,” the Chief Executive stressed.
The G20 was established in 1999, in the wake of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, to bring together major advanced and emerging economies to stabilize the global financial market. Since its inception, the G20 has held annual Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meetings and discussed measures to promote the financial stability of the world and to achieve a sustainable economic growth and development.
The G-20 is made up of the finance ministers and central bank governors of 19 countries, namely, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The European Union, who is represented by the rotating Council presidency and the European Central Bank, is the 20th member of G-20. (PCOO)
Aquino set to release New Medium Term Development Plan
HANOI (via PLDT-SMART): The Aquino administration will soon unveil its New Medium Term Development Plan for 2010-2016.
President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his statement at the 3rd ASEAN-UN Summit here, said the plan aims to ensure that national growth and progress will be shared with the poor and the vulnerable by providing every Filipino quality health, education and employment opportunities. He underscored the need to balance the commitment of resources to physical and social infrastructure, and by strengthening social safety nets, such as conditional cash transfers and access to health insurance.
The President noted that based on the Fourth Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Philippines is faring well in the reduction of the mortality rate among children age 5 and below due to vigorous efforts to address serious health threats such as malaria and tuberculosis. He said the health department is confident that infant and neo-natal mortality reduction and maternal mortality reduction goals will be met by the Philippines by 2015 with the help of local governments, NGOs and international partners.
The Chief Executive told the forum that the Philippines has been successful in expanding access to safe water and sanitation and providing equal education for girls. He added that under the Universal Health Care Agenda, his administration aims to provide universal access to reproductive health to meet the MDGs.
“The ultimate impact of attaining the MDGs is the general upliftment of the welfare and quality of life of our people. We all hold authority in order to serve our people: It is therefore imperative for us to provide our people with the necessary support in terms of human resource development programs in order for them to sustain a better quality of life,” the President stressed
He noted that the adoption of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on Human Resources and Skills Development for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Growth is essential as it fosters technical cooperation and capacity building, promotes public-private sector cooperation, enhances the quality and skills of workers in the ASEAN, and promotes lifelong learning.
“I wish to invite further collaboration between ASEAN and the UN agencies to consider this new document in developing cooperation programs in the field of human resource development,” the President said. (PCOO)
