Aquino lauds PEZA’s performance in bringing dignity in governance and uplifting condition of Filipinos
President Benigno Aquino III lauded the performance of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) saying the government agency is an ally in bringing back dignity in governance and uplifting the condition of the people.
Speaking at the 16th foundation anniversary of PEZA on Thursday night, Chief Executive cited PEZA as a partner, together with investors, in achieving progress in the country.
“To all our partners, this administration is eager to rebuild this nation. We are committed to fast track the presentation of the approval and implementation of your projects,” the President told the PEZA officials and investors who attended the occasion.
“We are eager to show the world what the Filipino can do. We are eager to restore our national dignity. The world is beginning to see what we are capable of, he said.
The President said that from day one of his administration, he has acknowledged the importance of private capital in addressing the present concerns of the country.
“We are striving to create an environment where businesses will flourish. So the government can focus its resources on much needed social services such as the improvement of our health and education as well as reducing hunger and poverty,” he said.
The President noted that since 1995 the administration of PEZA Director General Lilia de Lima has been characterized by clean governance and zero red tape pampering investors fully, who show interest in putting their money in the Philippines.
Since 1995, PEZA generated a total of P1.71 trillion worth of investments in the Philippines, the President said. In 2010 alone, total investment in PEZA reached almost P205 billion more than 17 percent higher than 2009 record.
Also in 2010, employment in PEZA increased by more than 20 percent from around 610,000 jobs in 2009 to more than 735,000 jobs. The phenomenal rise in business process outsourcing (BPO) recently surpassed India in total revenue with call center operations in the Philippines gaining profits of over $5.7 million, the President said.
According to the President, income has been credited to PEZA’s high level of commitment to proving quality products and services to investors. He said. The President also boasted the 38-million strong labor force as the main asset of the country.
“With PEZA capitalizing on the advantages, I’m confident that in 2011 we will not only reach our 10 percent growth target but we will also likely surpass it,” the President stressed.
As a government agency that consistently remits dividends to the national government, President Aquino said PEZA exemplified what good and responsible governance is all about.
The President noted that the government agency remitted a total of P12.67 billion from 1995 to 2010. With this contribution, he added, will allow him to frontload expenditures and the implement its anti-poverty programs.
PEZA is the Philippine government agency tasked to promote investments, extend assistance, register, and grant incentives to investors.
It also facilitate the business operations of investors in export-oriented manufacturing and service facilities inside selected areas throughout the country proclaimed as PEZA Special Economic Zones. (PCOO)
Aquino urges graduates of Ateneo to meet challenge of reaching out to the poor
President Benigno Aquino III challenged this year’s graduates of Ateneo de Manila University to reach out to their poor fellow Filipinos so that they can contribute to the Philippines’ quest for progress.
Addressing the graduates of the University, the President advised them to take the right path and get involved.
“Madalas tayong maharap sa sangang daan at sa sangang daang ito ang pinakamahalaga kong payo ay huwag kayong matakot na gawin ang tama,” he said.
“Ang tanong ko sa mga Atenista hanggang saan ang pagiging man for others ninyo? Gaano kalayo ang down from the hill? Half way down the hill lang ba kung kayo na ang nasa tuktok ng mga korporasyon?” he asked.
The answer, according to the President is: It’s for everyone not becoming burdens of their fellow Filipinos and not to remain at the sidelines if they see other people suffering. He added that it is not right to disregard the needs of their poor neighbors.
The President noted that even small things made by people in positions can affect the lives of ordinary Filipinos. If there are people suffering, it’s everyone’s obligation to help them and fight corruption if they see any.
Quoting his father, the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr, President Aquino said: “The ball is now in your hands. Tumawid na kayo mula sa mga nag-aabang tungo sa mga pumapasan ng mga tungkulin. Tungkulin ng bagong henerasyon na ipagpatuloy ang mga nasimulan ng mga nauna sa kanila.”
He also told the graduates that his administration is working very hard so that next generations of Filipinos do not inherit the current problems of the country, hoping that they will not pass these kinds of problems to succeeding generations.
The President, who has been at the helm of the government in less than nine months, said that investors’ confidence in the government remains high and Filipinos must seize this opportunity.
This can be seen in the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, as more and more businessmen come in to put up operations in the Philippines, he said.
“Sa dami ng mga nagtatayo ng mga BPO lalampasan na natin ang India na dating number one sa larangan ng call centers. Kung dati walang mahanap na trabaho ay bagong problema tayo ngayon. Ngayon ang problema natin ay kung paano pupunuan ang mga nag-aabang na mga posisyon dito sa BPO,” the President said.
He noted that this year alone, there are 80,000 to 100,000 jobs that will be created soon in the sector. (PCOO)
Palace strongly condemns Sumera killing
Malacanang on Friday strongly condemns the killing of Marlina Flores-Sumera and ordered the Philippine National Police not to stop until the mastermind behind the hired killers who took her life are brought to justice.
President Aquino expressed his confidence that with the help and cooperation of the witnesses the police authorities would be able to arrest the suspects and put them behind bars.
“With the cooperation of the witnesses I am confident that we would bring the perpetrators to justice,” the President told reporters in an ambush interview during the 28th Biennial Convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce Industry Inc. at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
The President ordered Philippine National Police Chief Dir. Gen. Raul Bacalzo to provide him regular updates on the ongoing investigation.
The police formed Task Force Sumera to look at all possible angles and theories that would lead to the motive and identification of the assassins particularly the mastermind behind the brutal killing of the radio broadcaster.
Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma reported that appropriate cases have been filed in court against suspects in the previous killing of journalists Gerardo Ortega in Palawan (February 2011), Jose Daguio in Kalinga (July 2010), and Miguel Belen in Nabua, Camarines Sur (July 2010).
Citing a report to the President by PNP Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo, Coloma said that five suspects in the Ortega killing are now in police custody, with two masterminds including former high-ranking Palawan provincial officials already identified.
In the Daguio case which has also been filed in court, one suspect is under custody while another suspect was found dead. In the Belen case, one suspect has already been arrested and is already facing criminal charges in court.
“The Aquino administration believes in the right to free expression of broadcasters and journalists,” Coloma said, even as he pointed out that police investigators’ findings tend to show that the killing of Sumera may not have been politically motivated.
Sumera, 45, an anchorwoman of radio station DZME’s Arangkada 1530 was shot dead Thursday morning near her home on Silonian Street at Barangay Maysilo in Malabon City.
Sumera is also the overall president of the Silonian, Sitio Rosal, Interior Tongco and the Saloma Neighborhood Association and was up against a rival community organization in a land dispute court case involving a road widening project in Malabon City. She reportedly appeared in a court hearing on the case last Monday, March 21. (PCOO)
ES Ochoa pushes for expanded Earth Hour
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Friday urged all government agencies, including government-controlled corporations and financial institutions and local government units, to take part in this year’s observance of the Earth Hour and step up the campaign for energy-efficient practices and lifestyles.
In a memorandum, all heads of government agencies and offices nationwide are directed to participate in the annual switching off of lights for one hour, from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., and in the main switch-off event at the Mall of Asia tomorrow (March 26).
Ochoa noted the important role of government agencies and LGUs in expanding the reach of the campaign to address global warming and in taking action to ensure a sustainable future.
“They are encouraged to organize their own respective Earth Hour event in their homes, communities or localities; to undertake their own sets of activities in support of the objectives of the Earth Hour to widen the reach of this campaign for the benefit of all, especially the future generations,” Ochoa said.
“They are also directed to utilize various communication channels to promote Earth Hour 2011, including official websites, community newsletters, and blogs. Everybody is urged to make this campaign a success, as we intend to make this campaign advance beyond the mere switching off of lights,” the Executive Secretary added.
Now in its fourth year in the Philippines, Earth Hour is an hour-long event which started in Australia in 2007. It was designed to take a stand against climate change, which has been considered the “greatest threat” the planet has ever faced, and uses the simple action of turning off lights for an hour to deliver a powerful message on the need for climate change solutions. (PCOO)
