President Aquino vows to develop country’s
coconut industry; rolls out infrastructure and irrigation projects in Quezon
province
CATANAUAN, Quezon) President Benigno S. Aquino
III vowed to further develop the country’s coconut industry now that it has
become one of our best economic assets given the great demand by other
countries of its various byproducts.
In his speech during his meeting with local
leaders and the community here Monday, President Aquino said his administration
will continue to look for more economic opportunities for the province of
Quezon especially on its thriving coconut industry.
“Kung dati sadyang binabalewala ang potensyal ng
inyong probinsya, ngayon talagang binibigyang-lakas natin ang inyong mga
industriya upang ang bawat taga-Quezon ay kayang makamit anuman ang kanyang mga
pangarap sa buhay,” he said.
Prior to his visit in Catanauan Central
Elementary School where Team PNoy also held one of its campaign sorties in
Quezon Province, President Aquino toured a coconut water plantation operated by
Peter Paul Philippine Corporation’s (PPPC) in Candelaria.
According to the President, PPPC at present does
not only provide jobs for more than 2,000 people but also gives tremendous
support to the livelihood of about 2,500 coconut farmers which only underscores
the great economic potential behind the coconut industry.
President Aquino noted that in 2009, only
484,000 liters were being exported by our country whereas, in 2010, it
increased to as much 1.81 million liters and was even pegged at 16 million
liters as of 2011.
“Ano po ang naging susi dito? Pinag-aralan natin
kung ano ang lakas ng inyong lalawigan at wala tayong sinayang na panahon upang
ang pakinabang ng industriya ng pagniniyog ay umabot sa mga taga-Quezon,” the
President added.
President Aquino also mentioned that the demand
was also great for coco coir fiber especially from countries like Japan, China,
Germany, and the United States, among others, since it is now being used to
prevent soil erosion.
“Tayo na po mismo ang naubusan ng coco coir.
Baka gusto niyo hong paramihin pa ang ating puno ng niyog para matakpan ang
kakulangan nito. Hudyat po itong dapat pa talaga nating palaguin ang ating
industriya ng niyog,” President Aquino said.
President Aquino also rolled out several
infrastructure and irrigation projects in Quezon including an 82-million peso
budget already earmarked to supply water for some 1,100 hectares of rice fields
in the towns of Burdeos, Polillo, Infanta, Tiaong, Pagbilao, Tayabas, Mauban,
Perez, San Francisco, Ginayangan, and Lucena.
The President told the residents of Quezon
Province that the almost P15-billion saved by the Department of Public Works
and Highways from its budget will be used to fund more road projects in their
locality.
These include the eight-kilometer Lucena
diversion Talao-Talao port road project, the 16 farm-to-market road projects in
Calauag, Gumaca, and Tagkawayan, and the 60-kilometer South Luzon Expressway
(SLEX) extension project from Batangas to Lucena, that aim to cut travel time
for motorists, tourists, and delivery of goods.
President Aquino, however, said that the SLEX
extension project will take up to 2019 for it to be completed. “Turista na po
ako pagdating ng panahon na ‘yan. Pero dahil halos lahat po ng biyahe kong sa
kalsada dumaan patungo ng Quezon ay napakahaba, talaga hong nanamnamin ko ang
biyahe sa SLEX na ‘yan,” he stressed.
“Lahat po ng ito ay alay natin sa buong
lalawigan ng Quezon. Patunay ang mga ito na ang linyang “kung walang kurap,
walang mahirap” ay hindi lamang salita kundi may kaakibat na gawa,” the
President concluded. PND (hdc)
President Aquino opens Philippine Investment
Forum 2013
President Benigno S. Aquino III invited
potential investors to consider expanding their respective businesses in the
Philippines saying the country is now in a better position to offer more and
readily meet their requirements in order for their investments to prosper.
The President offered his invitation during his
speech formally opening the Philippine Investment Forum 2013 held at the
Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Tuesday.
He pointed out that potential investors could
partner with the government in investing in three priority sectors:
agriculture, which is the source of income for some 12.1-million Filipinos;
tourism, which expects some 56-million visitors by 2016; and infrastructure,
which will support agriculture and tourism through the development of road
networks, ports, and airports that will ensure the safety and efficient passage
of tourists and goods all over the country.
“At the end of the day, we are inviting you to
come to the Philippines whether in these three sectors, or in others, because
we know that, here, hard work, innovation, and creativity are rewarded with
success,” the President said.
“This is not an empty promise --- you will have
the Filipino people and our administration as committed partners” he added.
The President noted that since he assumed Office
in 2010, he had spent the last two years and eight months on weeding out graft
and corruption in order to provide a level playing field for all as well as to
“ensure that integrity, transparency, and accountability characterize our
actions.”
“Over the past years, we have been doing
everything we can to level the playing field—from reforming the judiciary, to
streamlining the process of setting up business in the Philippines, to
following the proper bidding and procurement processes. We are also investing
heavily in our countrymen—empowering them to take stock of their lives and to
realize their potential,” the President said.
Joining the President were Finance Secretary
Cesar Purisima and Euromoney Institutional Investor Asia CEO Tony Shale.
The Philippine Investment Forum 2013 brings
together policymakers, business leaders, economists and key overseas investors
in painting an overview of the Philippine economy including analysis into all
its key sectors. PND (rck)
President Aquino pitches Filipino labor to
potential investors
President Benigno S. Aquino III highlighted to
potential investors the creativity, dedication, and loyalty of Filipino labor,
saying these are the characteristics that firms want in their work force.
In his speech keynoting the opening rites of the
Philippine Investment Forum 2013 held at the Peninsula Manila on Tuesday, the
President cited the business process outsourcing industry in which the Filipino
has excelled and has brought “to great heights in such a short time.”
“Given the opportunity, they will do the same
for you, whatever industry you may be involved in,” the President said.
He also called on potential investors to partner
with the government in expanding their businesses in the country.
“The investments that you will bring into our
country will redound to tens of thousands of jobs for our countrymen—men and
women who will be able to put food on their tables, send their children to
school, and meet the needs and wants of their families,” the President said.
“Together, we will be empowering them: giving
them greater power to contribute to economic growth and opportunities to uplift
their lives and even the lives of their fellow Filipinos. All together, we will
be building the success of the industry, the Philippines and the Filipino
people,” he added.
“Even if you have come here only with a mind to
invest in the Philippines and ride on the resurgence of our economy—with your
decision to bet on our country, you will be doing so much more --- you will be
giving thousands of Filipinos gainful employment that will empower them as
consumers —thus spurring the growth of both your businesses and the
Philippines. And we hope you will take this chance and join us on the straight
path to progress,” the President said. PND (rck)
President Aquino encourages all government
agencies and instrumentalities to support and participate in ‘KABISIG
Philippine Government Expo and Trade Fair 2013’
President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged all
government agencies and instrumentalities to extend their support and
participate in the “KABISIG Philippine Government Expo and Trade Fair 2013.″
The directive was issued by virtue of Memorandum
Circular No. 45 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February
22.
The KABISIG People’s Movement (KABISIG) Program
was created by virtue of Proclamation No. 650 (s. 1990) in order to facilitate,
coordinate and monitor the implementation of government programs and projects,
as well as to provide linkages between and among the private sector groups and
the government agencies.
In pursuit of the mandate, KABISIG is conducting
the “KABISIG Philippine Government Expo and Trade Fair 2013″ which has for its theme “Kaalaman ng Mamamayan: Kabalikat
sa Matuwid na Daan.”
The project aims to bring together in one venue
all government agencies and instrumentalities, including Government-Owned or
Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and Local Government Units (LGUs), to feature
their profiles, service facilities, programs, projects, products and
accomplishments. It is also an opportunity that will allow the government to
promote public awareness and participation in national development.
"In this regard, all heads of departments,
agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including GOCCs and
LGUs, are hereby encouraged to extend support and participate in the said expo
and trade fair, subject to the availability of funds and usual accounting and
auditing rules," the President said.
The Memorandum Circular shall take effect
immediately. PND (js)
