Aquino stresses good governance is good economics in his return from succesful working visit to the US
President Benigno S. Aquino III returns home from a successful five-day official working visit to the United States with a considerable set of new investments as a result of the Aquino administration’s policies on good governance.
The President, together with his delegation, disembarked from Philippine Airlines flight PR 105 from San Francisco, USA that touched down at 2:45 Friday morning at the tarmac of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Terminal 2 in Pasay City.
In his message following their arrival, President Aquino said more investors will put their money in the country after showing renewed trust and confidence in doing business here.
“Ang sabi ko nga po sa mga dayuhan na nakadaupang-palad natin: Good governance is good economics… nakikita na po natin ang resulta ng mabuting pamamahala, kinikilala na po tayo ng buong mundo, hindi lang po ng mga negosyante kundi pati na ng mga gobyerno. Nakikita nila kung paano natin pinapatag ang sistema, " the President said.
“Ang bunga: tiwala at kumpyansa, na sanhi ng pagpasok ng mas maraming negosyante at makabuluhang mga proyekto. Sa huli, trabahong may pakinabang sa Pilipino, at paglago ng ekonomya na sinisiguro namin ay aabot sa nakararami nating kababayan,” he added.
The Chief Executive noted that unlike in the past, many countries now look up to the Philippines and listen to its leaders for best practices on good governance.
“Napakalaki na po talaga ng nagbago. Isipin po ninyo, kung dati ang ine-export natin ay mga horror story tungkol sa kalagayan ng ating bansa, ngayon, kabi-kabila ang paanyaya sa ating magbahagi ng best practices dito sa Pilipinas. Kung dati ang liit ng tingin natin sa ating sarili, ngayon, mga mauunlad na bansa na po ang tumitingala sa atin. Kung dati, kahit anong hiyaw natin ay iilan lang ang nakikinig, ngayon po, taimtim nang pinakikinggan ang tinig ng Pilipino,” the President said.
He also met with the US-ASEAN Business Council composed of big companies that include Coca-cola, GE, Pfizer and Citigroup, among others and many of its members expressed interest in investing in the Philippines so it can reach its potential.
Apart from these, two American companies also expressed interest on investing in the Philippines to meet the growing demand for coconut water that the country could supply, opening new job opportunities especially for Filipinos in the countryside.
“Sa totoo nga lang po, mas angkop nang sabihin na ang mga banyagang kumpanya na ang pumipila upang makaangkas sa pag-angat ng ating ekonomya… halimbawa na nga po ang dalawang kumpanyang Amerikano na gustong magbuhos ng puhunan sa ating coconut industry,” President Aquino said.
“Nauuso po kasi sa Amerika ngayon ang pag-inom ng tinatawag nilang coco-water, na dito po sa atin ay buko juice kung tawagin… para pong nagiging bagong natural sports drink ito sa Amerika, na ngayon pa lang po ay daang-milyong industriya na.” he noted.
He presented samples of the Philippine-made, branded coco water products such as O.N.E. coconut water and Vita Coco 100% coconut water, which he brought in from the US.
Present during the arrival ceremonies to receive the President and his delegation were members of the cabinet led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Commission on Higher Education Secretary Patricia Licuanan, Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares.
During the working visit, President Aquino joined 45 other world leaders in formally launching the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in New York.
He was invited by US President Barrack Obama who chairs the OGP steering committee along with President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil.
The OGP is a "multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance."
The Open Government Partnership aims to: 1) increase the availability of information about the government activities, 2) support civic participation, 3) implement the highest standards of professional integrity throughout the respective administrations of its members; and, 4) increase access to new technologies for openness and accountability. (PCOO)
Aquino appoints Villa as acting member of the LWUA board of trustees
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Rene C. Villa as acting member of the board of trustees of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), a Palace official said.
The Chief Executive signed the appointment of Villa last August 24, 2011, according to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte during a regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
Valte said the board will hold an election to elect the chairman of LWUA, a Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC), to replace Prospero Pichay Jr.
Last July, Malacanang ordered the implementation of the dismissal of Pichay on grounds of grave misconduct and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. ordered Health Secretary Enrique Ona to implement the dismissal order from the Office of the Ombudsman.
Villa was Agrarian Reform Secretary from August 2004 to July 2005. (PCOO)
Coloma joins ‘Pilipinas Natin’ launch in CamSur
PILI, CAMARINES SUR: Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma joined the launching of “Pilipinas Natin” in this province relaying the message of support of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the people of the province after arriving from a successful trip to the United States.
Coloma, who was one of the Palace officials who welcomed the President at the airport Friday morning, said President Aquino extends his support for the launching of the volunteer program in Camarines Sur.
Coloma, together with Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte, visited a school construction project in Himaao, Pili in this province being constructed by volunteers from the military, local government unit and the youth sector.
Pilipinas Natin is a non-partisan organization aimed at building the nation through volunteerism. The school construction is just one of several projects in Camarines Sur.
In his message before the students and parents in Himaao elementary school, Coloma echoed the President's vision of prioritizing education in his Philippine Development Plan so the country could attain progress.
“Doon po sa Philippine Development Plan ang number one program po ay ang para sa edukasyon. Ang para sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan na tulad ninyo. Sapagkat sa mga darating na panahon kayo po ang magiging barangay captain, kayo ang magiging alkalde at mayor, kayo din ang magiging governor. Kayo ang mamumuno sa inyong lalawigan ng CamSur,” Coloma told the students of Himaao Elementary school.
Coloma thanked the local leaders, parents and teachers in Camarines Sur for their support for the launching of the Pilipinas Natin program.
According to the Himaao Elementary school principal, the construction of the school building through “bayanihan” will be a great help for the students, particularly after Typhoon Ondoy destroyed many of their classrooms.
Four classrooms are already dilapidated and teachers are just employing stop-gap measures to make them usable, she said, adding she hopes that more help will be given to the school in the coming days.
President Aquino launched the “Pilipinas Natin” program at the Philippine Sports Arena in Pasig City on June 30, marking his first year in office as president.
The program revisited President Aquino’s vision and renewed his commitment to the social contract he made with the Filipino people calling for renewed volunteerism and active participation on the way to sustainable stability.
The campaign is also “in response to the people’s call for change, harnessing the sentiments of People Power, empowering a nation that imbibes and cultivates the innate Filipino culture of bayanihan. " (PCOO)
Aquino all set for official working visit to Japan
President Benigno S. Aquino III is set for his official working visit to Japan which will be aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ strategic partnership with one of its top trading partners and primary sources of investments, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Friday.
In stressing the significance of this presidential trip, DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro said during a pre-departure press briefing held in Malacañang that the President’s visit will be an opportunity for both the governments of the Philippines and Japan “to further strengthen and cement the special bonds of friendship cultivated by both countries over the last 55 years.”
In line with this, President Aquino will be engaging Japan’s newest Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in a summit meeting on September 27, Tuesday, to discuss the advancement of bilateral relations between their countries as well as exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
Also on the same day, the President is scheduled to meet with key Japanese business organizations such as the Keidanren or the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations, the Japan Business Federation, the Japan-Tokyo Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the Japan Philippine Economic Cooperation Committee as well as grant individual calls by leaders of top Japanese firms.
President Aquino will also pay a State Call on His Majesty Emperor Akihito who will be hosting a Court Luncheon in honor of the Philippine Leader. Prior to that, however, the President shall have courtesy calls to other Japanese government and business officials including those from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The President will be departing Manila for Tokyo on Sunday, September 25, and will meet with the members of the Filipino Community shortly thereafter.
The next day, September 26, President Aquino will take the time to visit residents who are currently taking refuge at an evacuation center in Ishinomaki City at the Miyagi Prefecture which is among the areas severely hit by the 10-meter high tsunami that struck Japan following the March 11 Great Sendai Earthquake.
The President will also attend a gathering by the Filipino Community there and will have a brief meeting with the Miyagi Prefectural and City Officials. Lazaro mentioned that the President will be bringing a “gift” for the people of Japan. (PCOO)
Coloma says other tourist destinations can emulate CamSur
PILI, Camarines Sur: Other provinces developing their tourism industries can learn from the tourism industry of Camarines Sur and make it as a blueprint for success, Communications and Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma said.
“Outstanding talaga, kakaiba yung ginawa ng CamSur dahil dati kasi pag there’s such a scale and magnitude Department of Tourism ang nag-umpisa niyan, umaasa sa national budget. Dito hindi, mismong yung local govt, mismong yung mga mamamayan ng CamSur ang nagtulungan to make their province a world-class tourist destination,” Coloma said in the media interview at the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) on Friday.
Coloma was in Pili, Camarines Sur, Friday for the formal launching of the “Pilipinas Natin” program in the province.
Camarines Sur could serve as a role model for other provinces in the country offering their respective tourism industries, Coloma said.
“Dahil napakayaman natin sa likas na kayamanan, magagandang tanawin, kaya lang kailangan yung magandang formula na maisasakongkreto yan. From infrastructure to reality and to marketing na hanggang sa ibang bansa ay dinarayo na, dinudumog na ang CamSur,” Coloma said.
In the Aquino administration’s Philippine Development plan, tourism is one of the anchor industries and it contains two aspects-- investment and job generation, he said.
“Kapag nakuha natin ang investment siguradong kaakibat na niyan ang maraming multiplier effects na hanap-buhay, at kapag gumanda ang hanap-buhay ay gaganda rin ang kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Asked how his province could contribute to the 6-million plus tourist arrival target per year of the Aquino administration, Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte said he thinks they can contribute 20 percent of that target.
Aside from the watersports complex, he said they are now expanding by building hotels, shopping and retail centers at the CWC, as well as creating more water sports.
At the same time, Villafuerte said they are developing the Mount Isarog to make it a mountain resort, as well as biking and hiking trail. There are also hot springs and waterfalls being developed. There are dolphins present in Pasacao town that can also attract tourists, Villafuerte said.
He also advised other provinces to first develop their areas before venturing into extensive marketing. If there’s a good product it’s easy to market, he said, noting that this is the formula they used for the Camsur Watersports Complex. (PCOO)
Aquino to discuss economic and political matters with Japanese Prime Minister Noda
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s upcoming meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Tuesday, September 27, is among the highlights of the former’s first official working visit and they are expected to discuss a wide range of topics from both the economic and political fronts.
At a pre-departure press briefing held by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro in Malacañang last Friday, she said both leaders will discuss issues of mutual interest including maritime security that will inevitably touch on the subject of the West Philippine Sea.
Lazaro confirmed a statement made by Japan's Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe last week that President Aquino and Prime Minister Noda will have an “exchange of views” concerning the West Philippine Sea but she emphasized that this will be done “within the context of maritime security.”
“Let’s put it this way: The issue on the West Philippine Sea, otherwise known as the South China Sea, will be discussed under regional issues that include maritime security, climate change among others she explained.
President Aquino’s meetings with the Japanese Prime Minister will also touch on sustaining the two countries’ tradition of reciprocal high-level visits and policy dialogues as well as cooperation on international and regional fora such as the UN (United Nations) and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) and other issues of mutual interest.
Lazaro said both leaders are also expected to issue ‘a joint statement affirming their countries’ shared values and their commitment to nurturing mutually beneficial cooperation.’
President Aquino will also ‘reiterate to Japan’s leadership the Philippines’ message of solidarity and its continuing support for Japan’s reconstruction’ following the Great Sendai Earthquake and last March 11.
At the same time, the President will also express his gratitude to Japan for its continued support to the Mindanao peace process and for its assistance to grassroots projects in conflict-affected areas in that region.
On the economic front, Lazaro said the President and the Prime Minister will ‘take note of the strength’ of the economic ties between their countries since Japan remains as the Philippines’ top trading partner, investor, as well as provider of overseas development assistance.
Lazaro added that the two leaders will also discuss Japan’s development assistance to the Philippines “particularly witnessing an exchange of notes on a 9.2-billion yen loan package on the project on forest lands management which will benefit the Philippine river basins and upland regions.”
The President will also highlight the country’s strong economic performance and encourage continued Japanese investments in the Philippines through their participation in infrastructure developments under the public-private partnership scheme, Lazaro said. (PCOO)
