President Aquino cites Brother Industries for
expanding business in the Philippines
TANAUAN CITY, Batangas) President Benigno S.
Aquino III cited the Brother Industries Ltd. for expanding its business in the
Philippines that spurred the growth of the manufacturing sector and created
quality employment opportunities for the Filipino people.
During the inauguration of the new factory of
Brother Industries Philippines at the First Philippine Industrial Park in
Barangay Ulango, Tanauan City, Batangas on Monday, the Chief Executive
acknowledged the contribution of the Brother Industries Ltd. in helping the
government in its efforts to improve the country's business climate.
The President, who was assisted by officials of
Brother Industries Japan and Brother Industries Philippines, led the unveiling
of the marker and corporate logo during the ceremony.
After the unveiling ceremony, the President
toured the new manufacturing facility of the Brother Industries Philippines at
the First Philippine Industrial Park.
Joining the President are Trade and Industry
Secretary Gregory Domingo, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director-General
Dr. Lilia de Lima, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe,
Brother Industries, Ltd. President and Representative Director Toshikazu Koike,
Brother Industries Ltd. Executive Officer Yuji Miwa, Brother Industries
Philippines President Toshio Ito, among others.
The President thanked the Brother Group for its
increased confidence in his administration and assured the Japanese investors
that his administration will continue to institute reforms to improve the
business climate.
"We sincerely believe in the strength and
advantages that the Philippines and the Filipinos have, and we are very hopeful
that we will be able to achieve our global vision together with other
facilities of the Brother Group," Toshio Ito said in his welcome speech.
Founded in 1908, Brother Industries Ltd. is a
Japanese multinational electronics and electrical equipment company
headquartered in Japan. Its products include printers, multifunction printers,
sewing machines, large machine tools, label printers, typewriters, fax
machines, and other computer-related electronics.
The Brother Group delivers products and services
to customers all over the world with 17 production sites and 51 sales offices
operating in 44 countries and regions in the world.
Brother Industries Philippines, Inc. located at
the First Philippine Industrial Park, in Tanauan City, Batangas was established
in March 2012 to meet the increasing demands in the printing business which is
the Brother Group's core business.
In April 2013, Factory 1 has started its
commercial operation in the manufacture of ink cartridges of Brother's inkjet
printer and All-in-Ones. Another product to be produced in the Philippines is
the tape casette for label stationery. The commercial operations of the product
is set to start in September, soon as the construction of the second factory of
Brother Industries Philippines in Tanauan is expected to be completed. The
factory will manufacture the inkjet printer main body and is projected to start
commercial operation in February next year.
The projected total investment of Brother
Industries Philippines Inc. amounts to $114 million, one of the highest
investments of the Brother Group.
The Brother Industries Philippines Inc.
currently employs 449 individuals as of July 2013. With the first and second
factories in full operation, the total number of employees will rise to 3,500
by fiscal year 2015.
Through the establishment of Brother Industries
Philippines Inc., Brother Group will enhance and optimize production
capabilities in a bid to increase its global market share. PND (js)
President Aquino assures investors government
continues to institute reforms to fuel the Philippines as a suitable investment
haven
(TANAUAN CITY, Batangas) President Benigno S.
Aquino III assured investors that this administration continues to institute
reforms to fuel the Philippines as a suitable investment haven and one of the
fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia.
"Our reforms were planned to yield the maximum
benefit for both the Filipino people and for those who wanted to partner with
the Philippines," the Chief Executive said in his speech during the
inauguration of the new factory of the Brother Industries Philippines at the
First Philippine Industrial Park in Barangay Ulango here on Monday.
The President said his government, likewise,
remains committed to meet key challenges such as building sustained economic
growth, mitigating business risks, and fostering environmental sustainability,
in a bid to improve the country's business climate.
"For example, weeding out corruption in
government does not only assure a higher quality of public service; it removes
unnecessary risks and threats to business for investors like you. Improving our
national road network—including roads here in Batangas—and constructing and
upgrading transport hubs facilitate ease of travel for all—from our countrymen,
to travellers here in the Philippines for leisure or business," the
President said.
The President said the move of the Brother Group
to put up a new manufacturing facility in the country will boost the country's
manufacturing sector.
"Today’s inauguration is especially
significant, in light of our government’s desire to foster the complete revival
of our manufacturing sector. There was a time when our neighboring countries
were the favored destinations—when manufacturing in the country lagged, and the
focus turned to service industries, such as Business Process Management,"
he said.
"The good news is we have actually noticed
an upswing in Philippine manufacturing in the past few years. I have witnessed
this personally, visiting facilities that manufacture components for Airbus and
Boeing airplanes, luxury goods, and electronics, as well as shipbuilding yards,
to name a few. Recent numbers also reflect this: for the first quarter of 2013,
manufacturing grew by 9.7 percent, making it one of the biggest contributors to
economic growth," the President added.
He thanked the Brother Group for expanding its
business in the Philippines and assured the Japanese investor company that the
government will always support its endeavours now and in the future.
"Your decision to set up shop here assures
us that we are doing the right thing, that the country is on the right
track—towards the resurgence of industry, the creation of more jobs, and a
future of sustainable, broad-based growth," he said.
The President also congratulated Brother
Industries Ltd. for its accomplishments in its business operations not only in
Japan but in many parts of the world.
"Your achievements are not a product of
chance; your success was borne of hard work, strategic decision-making, and a
finely tuned sense for business. Your long history tells us that it was not
luck that brought you here. No company would decide to invest 5.59 billion
pesos, construct two different facilities, and eventually hire a 3,500-strong
workforce on a whim. For Brother Industries, the Philippines was the strategic
choice," he said. PND (js)
President Aquino commends Gilas Pilipinas silver
medal finish at FIBA Asia Cup
President Benigno S. Aquino III personally
commended the inspiring run showed by the country’s men’s basketball team,
Gilas Pilipinas, at the recently concluded 27th Federacion Internationale de
Basketball (FIBA) Asia Cup held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
At the conclusion of his speech at the
inauguration rites of Brother Industries Philippines factory in Tanauan City,
Batangas on Monday, President Aquino could not help but share his thoughts on
last Sunday’s championship game between the Philippines and Iran.
The President extolled the gallant stand put up
by the players of the Philippine national team despite their size disadvantage
and being undermanned as they gave the towering Iranians a good fight until the
dying seconds of the game.
“We won at least the silver position or the
first runner up position. We are not yet blessed with the height necessary to
become a dominant power in the world of basketball. We even lost our center due
to an injury, and it was really encouraging, at least on my part, to view our
countrymen not giving in to a sense of, perhaps, defeat by just accepting the
fact that, ‘you know, these guys are above seven feet tall and they are really
kind of difficult to beat,’” the President said.
President Aquino watched the game live at the
Arena as Gilas Pilipinas fought tooth and nail to claim the top spot before
eventually yielding the gold medal and championship crown to the dominant
Iranian squad.
The national team played without naturalized
center, Marcus Douthit, who injured his knee during the Philippines’ semifinal
victory last Saturday against the Republic of Korea who eventually took the
bronze medal after defeating Chinese Taipei.
“Up to the last few seconds, they never gave up.
They showed the respect that was earned by their playing in previous games.
They were not treated as an unworthy opponent by our opponents. So give the
Filipino the right environment and you will be surprised at what he will
deliver,” the President said further.
The Philippines only lost by 14 points (85-71)
to the undefeated Islamic Republic of Iran, reportedly known to have beaten its
previous opponents by at least 30 points in the tournament.
Regardless of the result, however, Gilas
Pilipinas secured the country of a slot in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup
that will be held in Spain—a feat which was last accomplished by the national
team 40 years ago.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a
statement that this victory is the culmination of years of hard work, belief,
and perseverance from our players and their families, from our coaching staff,
from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas led by Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan,
and, most of all, from the entire Filipino nation, who has always stood behind
the national team through their struggles and triumphs.
“In unison, the nation urged our team forward,
and with consummate puso, they laid everything on the line for flag and
country. Gilas Pilipinas has shown the world that no one can outsize the heart
of the Filipino. May their performance inspire every Filipino to relentlessly
pursue excellence, no matter what field they find themselves in, so that,
together, we may fulfill our shared aspiration of a Philippine nation greater
than ever before,” Lacierda said. PND (hdc)
President Aquino confers Order of Sikatuna on
outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador
President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the
Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross, Gold Distinction (Datu,
Katangiang Ginto) on outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Nguyen
Vu Tu in ceremonies held at Malacanang on Monday.
The President conferred the prestigious award on
the outgoing envoy in recognition of his exceptional and meritorious services
to the Republic of the Philippines and for fostering, developing and
strengthening ties between their country and the Philippines.
The Order of Sikatuna is the national order of
diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines that is conferred upon
individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the
Republic of the Philippines.
The honor, which was created by Executive Order
No. 571 signed by former President Elpidio Quirino on February 27, 1953, is
also bestowed upon diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states who
have rendered conspicuous services in fostering, developing and strengthening
relations between their country and the Philippines.
Accompanying Ambassador Nguyen was his First
Secretary Tran Le Phuong. PND (rck)
President Aquino gives go signal for Philippines
to start negotiations with United States on policy of increased rotational
presence through framework agreement
President Benigno S. Aquino III has already
given his go-signal for the Philippines to start this week the negotiations
with the United States to institutionalize the policy of increased rotational
presence through a framework agreement, a Palace official said on Monday.
"They have secured the permission from the
President to start the negotiations, so obviously, they informed the President
about these things," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during
the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.
Lacierda also announced the creation of a panel
comprising of representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of
National Defense and the Department of Foreign Affairs to handle the
communications for increased rotational presence of American forces in the
country.
"They have already formed a panel which is
comprised of the DOJ, the DND and the DFA; and they will be handling the
communications with respect to the negotiations," Lacierda said.
"We’re not going to be involved with
respect to the negotiations. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta
has been designated as the spokesperson for the Philippine panel on the
framework agreement for the increased rotational presence," Lacierda.
Lacierda noted the need to come out with a
framework agreement with the US to ensure that the increased rotational
presence of American troops is within the parameters of the Constitution and
Philippine laws.
The negotiations will enable the Philippines and
US to conduct activities such as bilateral exercises, including the
prepositioning of equipment for disaster response and development of Philippine
facilities, among others.
"The focus of the increased rotational
presence also will involve not only our credible defense position – minimum
credible defense position – but also a shift to humanitarian and disaster
response," he said. PND (js)
