Aquino leads groundbreaking rites of Sutherland
Global Facility in Carmona, Cavite
CARMONA, Cavite: President Benigno S. Aquino III
assured both local and foreign investors of the government’s efforts to
maintain a business-conducive environment in the country as he programs that
are focused on further developing the people’s skills and efficiency.
In his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony
of the Sutherland Global Services new US$50 million Carmona Facility along
Market Road, Barangay Maduya, here on Wednesday, the President said the
Filipinos could take the challenges of economic opportunities.
“You have found that it isn’t just more fun in
the Philippines but also more profitable… let me assure you we will continue to
endeavor to keep it this way if not to improve the conditions. We are making
sure that companies will find enough qualified workers here which is the idea
behind the industry-based training for work scholarship program which aims to
equip our countrymen with the required skills to succeed in industries that are
hiring,” he said.
According to the Chief Executive, at least P500
million has been allotted for the government’s training program that is
presently being implemented.
“We have set aside half a billion pesos for this
program and as of May 2012 we have disbursed P215 million of that… close to 36
thousand Filipinos have benefitted from this program,” President Aquino said.
“Our administration has also been undertaking
advanced English pre-employment training programs which allows a greater
transfer of knowledge from our English teachers to our students and these
efforts to keep companies like you (Sutherland),” he added.
He also noted the country’s considerable
improvement as a player in the Information Technology (IT) and Business Process
Outsourcing (BPO) industry.
“Through the years we have witnessed the Philippines’
transformation from an emerging to a leading player in the IT-BPO sector… in
2011 the BPO sector earned 11 billion dollars and was responsible for around
640 thousand direct jobs. By the time I step down in 2016, we will be looking
at revenues that will have more than doubled to 25 billion dollars and 4.5
million jobs… 1.3 directly as a result of the BPO sector and 3.2 million
indirect jobs,” the President said as he expressed gratitude to the people of
the BPO industry for believing in the Filipinos.
“Today we are breaking ground on this 50 million
dollar facility which will provide an additional eight thousand seats or up to
24 thousand new jobs given three-shift deployments. On behalf of our people, I
thank you for your contribution in the growth of our economy and more
importantly for your belief in our countrymen who have the skill, the
creativity and the work ethic to propel any company to even greater heights,”
he said.
During the event, President Aquino led the
groundbreaking ceremony and the lowering of the time capsule to signal the
start of construction of the Sutherland Global Services’ Carmona Facility.
Assisting the President were Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo,
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Joel Villanueva,
Carmona Mayor Dahlia Loyola, Cavite Representative Roy Loyola and Sutherland
chairman and chief executive officer Dilip Vellodi.
The Sutherland Carmona Facility project is part
of the company’s growth plans in the Philippines and its commitment to
President Aquino to increase employment opportunities for Filipinos in the
provinces. The three-hectare facility is the first to be developed by
Sutherland in the country which features an innovative campus-type design. The
pioneering project can be showcased by various government agencies such as the
Board of Investments and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and even the
local government units to show foreign direct investors the merits of investing
in the Philippines and partnering with the government.
At present, Sutherland Global Services has a
total of 30,000 employees in over ten countries worldwide and almost half of
these numbers are in the Philippines. (PCOO)
Aquino government welcomes approval of House
Bill seeking to rationalize excise taxes on alcohol, cigarette products
The Aquino administration welcomed the approval
of House Bill 5727 which seeks to rationalize excise taxes on alcohol and
cigarette products, a Palace official said.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued
the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday
following the approval of the House Bill 5727 otherwise known as an "Act
restructuring the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products" authored by
Cavite Representative Joseph Abaya.
"The bill is a priority measure of the
administration that has hurdled a significant step in the legislative process.
The initiatives to reform the excise tax system started 15 years ago and it is
only under this administration, with the President’s firm leadership, that such
a legislative measure has been approved," Lacierda said.
"The rationale for reform is clear. This
measure seeks to help fund public healthcare, which is a key thrust in the
administration’s drive for inclusive growth," Lacierda said.
Lacierda noted that the bill seeks to improve
the efficiency of tobacco farmers, strengthen the current tax structure, and
sustain revenue growth.
The administration thanked House Speaker
Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Ways and Means
Committee chairman Representative Isidro Ungab, and a multi-party majority of
the members of the Committee who voted to approve the said important measure,
Lacierda said.
"This is a testimonial to the close
cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of government. We
look forward to the legislative deliberations in plenary where we hope the
majority of Representatives will stand alongside their colleagues who support
fiscal reform," Lacierda said. (PCOO)
