President Aquino invites global business leaders to invest in the
Philippines
DAVOS,
Switzerland) President Benigno S. Aquino III invited European business leaders
including other business executives from various parts of the world attending
the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting here to explore potential areas
of investments in the Philippines, as he cited some of the reforms initiated by
the government to achieve inclusive growth.
President
Aquino issued the invitation in his remarks before the roundtable with Global
Business Executives at the sidelines of his participation to the WEF Annual
Meeting here in Davos.
“These are truly exciting times for our country.
We are realizing the long-untapped potential of our country, and we are here to
invite you to join us, he said.
The President cited the three priority sectors
for investing in the country, namely, tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure.
In the agriculture sector, the President said
the Philippines is on its way to becoming an rice exporter.
“Since I came into office, our government has
been working towards rice self-sufficiency by going back to the basics and
helping our farmers through improved irrigation systems and a genuine certified
seeds program,” the President said.
“Rice production has been increasing, and
through these methods, we are on our way towards our next goal: becoming an
exporter of rice,” he added.
On the country's revitalized coconut industry,
President Aquino said that in 2011, the Philippines has exported more than 16.7
million liters of coco water, up from the 483,862 liters of coco water in 2009.
He noted that that the coco coir fiber,
transformed into geotextile materials, has among others, been found effective
in erosion control. He added that the DPWH is already using this technology in
their projects.
On tourism, President Aquino mentioned the
Department of Tourism’s “It‘s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan because
Filipinos have always been "proud of the beauty of our country, and of the
hospitality of our people,” he said.
“To show them off, and to attract even more
tourists to our shores, our Department of Tourism has embarked on a campaign to
show the world that “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” he added.
According to the President, publications like
Conde Nast Traveller, the New York Times, and Travel + Leisure Magazine have
cited the Philippines as a prime beach holiday destination.
He added that China's Oriental Morning Post
named the Philippines as "Best Tourist Destination" in its annual
World Travel-Special Trips awards. The Shanghai Morning Post also identified
the Philippines as the "Most Romantic Destination" in the world.
In his
remarks, President Aquino likewise tagged the infrastructure as a priority
sector, of his administration saying that it is a key to further growth and
development in tourism and agriculture, among other sectors.
He also cited the World Economic Forum’s Global
Competitiveness Report showing that the Philippines is lagging behind our ASEAN
neighbors in terms of quality infrastructure.
“This presents an opportunity, because we are
committed to closing this gap and increasing our competitiveness. Last year,
disbursements for infrastructure reached an equivalent of 4.9 billion US
dollars, and we have allotted 5.7 billion US dollars for this in 2013,” he
said.
Part of the said allotment will go to the
complete paving of the national road network by 2016, according to President
Aquino. He said that since 2010, the DPWH has already completed 28 percent, or
2,006 kilometers, of the 7,256 kilometers of national arterial and secondary
roads that needed paving.
The President further said that the Philippines
is also improving connectivity all around the country through train systems in
Metro Manila, the construction improvement of both domestic and international
airports, and the exploration of a new nautical highway that could cut travel
time between Luzon to Mindanao.
“We are exploring opportunities for the private
sector to join us in these endeavors, and we hope that you will consider
partnering with us in the future, towards our mutual benefit,” he said.
“All three sectors —agriculture, tourism, and
infrastructure— represent areas that are already exhibiting rapid growth, among
others that have shown resilience and strength over the past years,” he said.
In this connection, the President invited the
businessmen here to meet with their counterparts in the Philippine business
community to know what the investment opportunities are,n and learn from their
experience of doing business under the Aquino administration.
“Those who have already bet on the Philippines
have not been disappointed; they have seen the sincerity of our commitment to
restoring integrity and leveling the playing field,” the President said. “This
is a commitment we intend to keep with all who want to conduct honest, fair
business in the Philippines.”
In closing, the President Aquino also cited the
reforms that his administration has initiated to achieve inclusive growth, as
well as the positive results it yielded.
Since 2010, the President said that the
Philippine Stock Exchange Index has broken its own record high 70 times. The
country has also been posting impressive economic growth, he said. PND (rda)
President Aquino
announces holding of East Asia Summit for the World Economic Forum in
2014 in the Philippines
DAVOS,
Switzerland) President Benigno S. Aquino III announced that he accepted the
offer for the Philippines to host the East Asia Summit for the World Economic
Forum in 2014.
The Chief Executive made the announcement during
a Coffee Meeting with Media at the Europe Hotel here on Friday (Swiss time)
following his successful attendance at this year's WEF Annual Meeting here.
"We agree to hosting the East Asia Summit
for the WEF in 2014," the President said.
He noted that when the East Asia Summit for WEF
is held in the Philippines next year, the participants would be experiencing a
warmer weather compared to the freezing weather condition experienced by the
participants attending this year's WEF annual meeting here.
According to the President, the holding of the
2014 East Asia Summit for WEF in the Philippines would certainly benefit the
country and the Filipino people as a whole.
"It puts us at the center stage of the
world map for that period, which is something like July or so. The details will
have to be worked out, it was offered to us and I accepted to hosting the
event," he said.
The President, who was visibly animated by his
successful participation at the conclusion of the WEF Annual meeting that was
participated in by global leaders, chief executive officers, top business
financial executives and other stakeholders from Europe and other parts of the
world said the best meeting he had attended was the luncheon meeting arranged
by the Ayala Corporation.
"We were able to touch base with so many
other leaders of various countries like the Dutch Prime Minister," the
President said. PND (Rda)
Palace confirms killings of two Jemaah Islamiyah
members in Mindanao
Malacanang confirmed on Saturday the killing
of two terrorists who are members of Asian terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah
(JI).
“We are
confirming that Philippine authorities have successfully neutralized two
foreign terrorists. Pareho silang miyembro umano ng Jemaah Islamiyah,” Deputy
Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday
over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
In
November last year, Philippine authorities tracked down Ibnu Gholib Al-Jitli or
Ustadz Sanusi in Marawi City, an Indonesian who is suspected to be a senior
member of JI.
Sanusi
died in a firefight when security forces tried to arrest him, Valte said.
During the investigation, the police recovered electronic devices and large
amounts of currency from Sanusi.
Prior to
Sanusi’s arrival in the Philippines in 2006, he was tagged as one of those
involved in the 2005 beheading of three schoolgirls in Poso, Sulawesi,
Indonesia, Valte said.
Also,
Noor Fikrie Kahar was neutralized by Philippine security forces in December 14
last year, the Palace official said. Valte said Kahar is a suspected Malaysian
member of the JI.
Kahar
attempted to detonate an improvised explosive device in a hotel in Davao City
and was killed by the police in an encounter. His Filipino wife, Anabelle Nieva
Lee, remains under police custody and is currently undergoing judicial process,
she said.
“Maipapakita natin na seryoso talaga ang
pamahalaan sa ating pakikipaglaban sa mga ganitong klaseng terorista at umaasa
tayong ang dalawang event na ito ay makakapagpadala ng malakas na mensahe sa
mga indibidwal na tulad nila na ang Pilipinas ay hindi puwedeng gawing safe
haven ng mga terrorista,” Valte said. (as)
Palace to investigate alleged continuing release
of MWSS bonuses and allowances
The
Palace said it would look into reports saying the Metropolitan Waterworks and
Sewerage System (MWSS) continue to release excessive bonuses despite the
non-approval of the budget department.
“We’ll
have to verify that report kasi ang alam ko dapat sa mga GOCCs, ang merong
authority over them ay ang GCG (Governance Commission for GOCCs),” Deputy
Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview Saturday over
government-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
“That
will be looked into. After it is verified, that will be looked into,” Valte
said when asked if the Palace will push for an inquiry on the matter.
In a
report by the Commission on Audit (COA), it said excessive bonuses were still
rampant at the MWSS in 2011.
In its
report for 2011, COA said the MWSS still gave allowances, bonuses and
incentives to its executives and staff despite the non-approval of the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
COA said
the MWSS continued to release various allowances, bonuses and benefits even
without DBM’s nod.
COA also
questioned the release of hazard pays to personnel who were not supposed to
receive it. MWSS also entered into a medical coverage with private firm
Medicard Philippines Inc. although medical coverage can be provided by the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth. PND (as)
President Aquino says holding of 2014 East Asia
Summit for the World Economic Forum in the Philippines to put country in the
world map
DAVOS,
Switzerland) President Benigno S. Aquino said the holding of the 2014 East Asia
Summit for the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Philippines will put the
country in the "center stage of the world map."
The President echoed this statement as he announced
that he has accepted the offer for the Philippines to host the WEF East Asia
Summit next year.
President Aquino arrived in Davos, Switzerland
last Thursday to attend this year's WEF Annual Meeting from January 23 to 27.
His attendance to the annual meeting provided him the opportunity to highlight
the Philippines as an investment haven and tourist destination for the benefit
of the country and the Filipino people as a whole.
"We agree to host the East Asia Summit for
the WEF in 2014," the President said following his successful attendance
at the conclusion of the WEF annual meeting.
He noted that when the East Asia Summit for WEF
is held in the Philippines next year, the participants would be experiencing a
warmer weather compared to the freezing weather condition experienced by the
participants attending this year's WEF annual meeting.
The President pointed out that the holding of
the 2014 East Adia Mummit for WEF in the Philippines would certainly benefit
the country and the Filipino people as a whole.
"It puts us at the center stage of the
world map for that period, which is something like July or so. The details will
have to be worked out, it was offered to us and I accepted hosting the
event," he stressed.
The President, who was visibly animated by his
successful participation at the WEF Annual meeting which was participated in by
global leaders, chief executive officers, top business financial executives and
other stakeholders from Europe and other parts of the world said the best
meeting he had attended was the roundtable luncheon meeting arranged by the
Ayala Corporation.
The roundtable meeting was attended by chief
executive officers and top businessmen not only from Europe but also from other
parts of the globe representing a wide array of businesses.
"We were able to touch base with so many
other leaders of various countries like the Dutch Prime Minister," the
President said.
He said that one of the entities who was in the
roundtable meeting is sending a team to the Philippines anytime this year to
look and explore areas that they would be interested in. PND (rda)
