President Aquino tells ASEAN business leaders:
Your initiatives must benefit the people
Political and business leaders must draw
inspiration from the people and always bear in mind their welfare over the long
term, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday.
Leaders must realize that their success relies
on the people and the communities they serve, the President told members of the
ASEAN Business Club (ABC) during their courtesy call at the Palace.
"These are the very same truths that have
ignited the resurgence of our country," he said.
He noted that whenever his administration is lauded
for the progress the country has made, he is always quick to say that the
transformation of the Philippines is “a collective achievement, built on the
shoulders of a people prepared to undertake the difficult task of reform
together."
He recounted that the country's transformation
began in 2010, “when Filipinos took a stand against corruption and impunity,
giving the present administration the mandate for change—a mandate aimed at
eradicating corruption and fostering inclusive and equitable growth.”
The administration's thrust, he said, is massive
investments in the people through skills training and education, health, and
social services, as well as enhancing the state of national infrastructure.
The commitment to good governance has already
borne fruit, as evidenced by the country's strong macroeconomic fundamentals
and the recent credit-rating upgrades by all three major credit-rating
agencies, placing the Philippines at investment grade or higher, he added.
"No longer are we the 'Sick Man of Asia.'
We are now Asia’s bright spot—a viable destination for investments and
tourists," President Aquino said, citing the IT-BPO sector, manufacturing,
and a robust domestic demand as among the major drivers of the economy.
The President also told ASEAN businessmen that
his government is fully committed to service a revitalized economy, and a
people with renewed optimism and desire to take part in nation-building.
The Ayala Corp. is hosting nearly 50 delegates
of the ASEAN Business Club in the Philippines, which coincides with the World
Economic Forum on East Asia being held in the country.
The ASEAN Business Club is an association of the
chief executives of ASEAN's biggest business enterprises that are committed to
the advancement of the ASEAN agenda.
Apart from the courtesy call, the ABC members
also met with the President’s economic team in a round-table discussion.
The regional business organization is a private
sector-derived initiative of the ASEAN's leading businesses that brings leaders
together to understand and help shape the growing connectivity among ASEAN
economies.
The group organizes opportunities for the
business and government sectors within the region to discuss effective measures
in enhancing ASEAN integration. PND (as)
Vietnamese Prime Minister lays wreath at ASEAN
Garden in Intramuros
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on
Wednesday paid his respects to Ho Chi Minh by laying a wreath at the Vietnamese
leader’s monument at the ASEAN Garden in Intramuros, Manila.
Ho Chi Minh was a key figure in the foundation
of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. He led the Viet Minh independence
movement from 1941, defeated the French Union in 1945, and ruled Vietnam until
1965.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister was received by
Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Jerril G. Santos, and Intramuros Administrator
Atty. Marco Antonio Luisito V. Sardillo III.
Prime Minister Tan Dung arrived in Manila via a
chartered Airbus A321 that landed in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City at about
12:05 p.m.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister is on a working
visit to the Philippines. He is also slated to attend the World Economic Forum
on East Asia (WEFEA), which will commence on Thursday. PND (ag)
Indonesian President Yudhoyono arriving in
Manila for two-day state visit
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
will arrive in the Philippines on Thursday for a two-day state visit, the
Palace said on Wednesday.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Edwin
Lacierda said President Yudhoyono’s state visit on May 22 to 23 is at the
invitation of President Benigno S. Aquino III in January 2012.
"President Yudhoyono will be attending
Manila’s hosting of the World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF-EA) on May 22,
where he will be conferred with the Global Statesmanship Award, and witness the
official turnover to Indonesia of the hosting of the 24th WEF-EA in 2015,"
Lacierda said.
On May 23, President Yudhoyono will meet with
President Aquino to discuss matters of mutual concern, including political,
defense and border, maritime, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation, he
said.
President Yudhoyono will also be conferred with
the Order of Sikatuna with rank of Raja during the State Dinner to be hosted in
his honor.
Indonesia was the 13th major trading partner of
the Philippines in 2013, with a total trade of $3.512 billion. Nearly 10,000
Filipinos live and work in Indonesia.
This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Indonesia,
Lacierda said. PND (as)
PhilHealth committed to pay hospitals, says
Palace
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
(PhilHealth) is already working to speed up the release of payments to
different hospitals, Malacanang said.
"May commitment na ang mga regional offices
ng PhilHealth na bilisan ang payment. Ang normal processing time is 60 days,
but I think there has been already a continuous discussion with the Private
Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP)," Presidential Spokesman
Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing at the Palace on Wednesday.
It was reported that the PHAP has complained
about the delays in PhilHealth reimbursements.
Lacierda attributed the reimbursement delays to
PhilHealth’s new payment system.
PhilHealth has recently shifted to a new payment
scheme--the case-based payment system, he said, adding that the slight delay in
payments are "birth pains" and not due to mismanagement.
He further noted that not all hospitals are
having delayed payments but that many other hospitals are receiving payments on
time.
PhilHealth and PHAP continue to hold discussions
to resolve the issue, he said.
The Palace official also reminded hospitals that
their service is “imbued with public service” and they must serve the people
well.
Lacierda made an assurance that the government
is not reneging on its commitment to hospitals that are claiming payments from
PhilHealth.
"The government will not renege on that
obligation, that is why there has been a constant discussion with PHAP
president, Dr. Rustico Jimenez, and with some of the hospitals concerned,"
he said. PND (as)
Philippines, Vietnam agree on enhanced defense,
security cooperation
President Benigno S. Aquino III said he and
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung discussed defense and security
cooperation during their meeting in Malacanang on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in the
Philippines for a working visit as well as to attend the World Economic Forum
on East Asia.
In his message during the joint press statement
at the Palace, President Aquino said they discussed how the Philippines and
Vietnam can enhance confidence building, defense capabilities, and interoperability
in addressing security challenges.
Cooperation between the two countries' navies
has been robust, he said noting the recent staff-to-staff talks conducted in
Manila in March 2014. Matters pertaining to exchanges in intelligence and naval
technology, and others, were tackled, he said.
"I believe that continued cooperation with
Vietnam, as well as with other members of ASEAN, in defense and security will
only contribute to promoting regional stability," he said.
"It is not an overstatement when I say that
I look forward to increased collaboration between our respective defense
agencies."
The President said he looks forward for the two
nations jointly determining the prerequisites in forging a roadmap towards a
strategic partnership.
Aside from discussing defense and security, the
two leaders also exchanged views on maritime cooperation.
Collaborative activities between the Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) and the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) have increased over the
years, and these include oil spill preparedness and response, mechanisms for
search and rescue cooperation, as well as information exchange.
This information exchange includes the Hotline
Communication Mechanisms between the PCG and the VCG, aimed at protecting the
two countries' marine resources and suppressing illegal activities in the
adjacent sea area.
President Aquino said he believes continued
cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam will enable them to better
protect their maritime resources, as they pursue strategies for regional growth
and progress.
The President also said he hopes the Philippines
and Vietnam remain steadfast in their shared aspiration—that by working
together they can build a more stable Southeast Asia. PND (as)
Philippines, Vietnam agree on enhancing two-way
trade in two years
The Philippines and Vietnam agreed to enhance
their trade cooperation in the coming years, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen
Tan Dung said on Wednesday.
In a joint press statement after holding a
bilateral meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III, Prime Minister Nguyen
Tan Dung said they agreed to continue strengthening cooperation to achieve the
target of $3 billion in two-way trade by 2016.
Also agreed were the facilitation of businesses
for both sides and the exploration of business and investment opportunities,
increase connectivity between the two economies, and ensure food security.
The Vietnamese leader said both countries wished
to cooperate in finance banking and services, and at the same time, encourage
cooperation in culture, education, healthcare, science and technology, and
tourism.
The two countries also agreed to further advance
and deepen relations, and elevate comprehensive growth, bilateral relations to
a higher level.
Both countries agreed to establish a working
commission headed by the two foreign ministries to establish a roadmap towards
strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines. This thrust is aimed
at enhancing regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development, Prime
Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said.
"The roadmap for bilateral strategic
partnership will be submitted to the high-level leaders of the two countries
for adoption," he said.
In addition to bilateral cooperation, Prime
Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also said he discussed with President Aquino regional
and international issues.
Both sides agreed to coordinate closely with
each other, as well as with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) countries, to successively build a united and strong ASEAN community by
2015, he said.
The two countries will also continue
collaboration and mutual support on regional and international forums, he said.
PND (as)
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit reaffirms
strong bonds between Phl and Vietnam
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday said
the visit of Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to the country reaffirms
the strong bonds between the two nations as brothers in ASEAN (Association of
Southeast Asian Nations).
The Vietnamese Prime Minister is in Manila for a
working visit, upon the invitation of President Aquino and in conjunction with
his attendance in the World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF-EA) hosted by the
Philippines on May 21 to 23.
This is the Prime Minister’s second visit to the
Philippines, after his Official Visit on August 2007.
“Your presence today reaffirms the strong bonds
between our nations as brothers in ASEAN—a relationship that finds root not
only in our shared history as peoples of Southeast Asia, but also in our very
commitment to adhere to the rule of law and to uphold mutual respect between
the members of our community,” President Aquino said during the state dinner in
honor of the visiting Vietnam leader.
The President said the courage and strength that
Vietnam government has demonstrated in protecting the interest of its people
“have only been a source of inspiration for the peoples of ASEAN, as we work
towards building a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable Southeast
Asia.”
In his toast, President Aquino also thanked
Prime Minsiter Dung for the generosity and unwavering solidarity with the
Filipino people in the wake of Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan).
“Mr. Prime Minister, then as now, you have only
expressed your sincere regard for the well-being of the many Filipinos who live
productive, dignified lives in Vietnam,” the President said.
“This kindness and concern for the Filipino
people was also seen in the assistance extended by the government and people of
Vietnam to the thousands of my countrymen who were affected by Typhoon Haiyan,”
he added.
Vietnam plays host to a 6,220-strong Filipino
community and several Philippines companies, including Jollibee, San Miguel
Brewery, Liwayway Industrial Food Corp., Ltd, and United Pharma, Inc. PND (co)
Vietnam, Philippines voice concern over West
Philippine Sea developments
Vietnam and the Philippines expressed their
concern over developments in the West Philippine Sea, Vietnam's leader said on
Wednesday.
"The President and I shared the deep
concerns over the current extremely dangerous situation cause by China’s many
actions that violate the international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea, and seriously infringe on the waters across our
countries," Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said in a joint press statement
with President Aquino in Malacanang on Wednesday.
The Vietnamese leader is in Manila for a working
visit and attendance to the World Economic Forum on East Asia.
Prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung said China’s
illegal placement of an oil rig in territory being claimed by Vietnam and the
deployment of navy vessels to protect the rig seriously threatened peace,
stability, and maritime security in the East Sea.
The two sides are determined to oppose said
violations of China, he said and will continue to call on countries and the
international community to strongly condemn China.
Vietnam wants China to immediately end its
violations and strictly observe the international law, the 1982 UNCLOS, and the
Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and make
efforts for the early achievement of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea
(COC).
Relations between China and Vietnam soured
further in the past weeks with vessels from both sides having physical
confrontations at sea.
Protests in Vietnam also reportedly turned
violent forcing China to send ships to evacuate its nationals from that country
for safety concerns. PND (as)
Vietnamese Prime Minister meets President Aquino
in Malacanang
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
arrived in the country Wednesday for a working visit as he is scheduled to
attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF-EA) to be held in Manila from
May 21 to 23.
Prime Minister Dung is back in the country for
the second time upon the invitation of President Benigno Aquino III. The
President welcomed the visiting leader in Malacanang.
Prime Minister Dung’s chartered aircraft Airbus
A321 touched down at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 12:30 p.m.
He then went to Intramuros, Manila for a
wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Vietnamese political leader and then
President Ho Chi Minh.
From Intramuros, Prime Minister Dung convoyed to
Malacanang to pay a courtesy call on President Aquino.
Foyer honors was accorded Prime Minister Dung
upon his arrival in Malacanang at 3:40 p.m. President Aquino ushered the
visiting leader for the traditional signing of the guest book at the Palace’s
reception hall.
The two leaders then proceeded to the Music Room
for the courtesy call that lasted more than an hour. Present during the
courtesy call were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Executive
Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Department of National
Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Jerril
Santos, and Asia and Pacific Affairs Assistant Secretary Minda Calaguian-Cruz.
On the side of Vietnam, Prime Minister Dung was
accompanied by Pham Quang Vinh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; To Lam,
Deputy Minister of Public Security; Truong Trieu Duong, Vietnam Ambassador to
the Philippines; Nguyen Van Nen, Minister Head of Government Office of Vietnam;
and Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of Defense.
The courtesy call was followed by an expanded
bilateral meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room attended by several
Cabinet men and their Vietnamese counterparts.
Among the matters discussed were defense and
maritime security, tourism, trade and investment, promoting bilateral
cooperation and people-to-people exchange.
Both leaders issued a joint press statement
where they condemned China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea and again
called for strict observation of the international law and early conclusion of
the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
President Aquino also hosted a dinner in honor
of Prime Minister Dung at the President’s Hall.
President Aquino thanked Vietnam for assisting
the country during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) last year. Prime
Minister Dung, on the other hand, congratulated the Philippines for its robust
economy and the recently signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. PND
(jb)
Wider economic and tourism ties with Vietnam,
discussed during bilateral meeting
President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vietnam
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung discussed during their bilateral meeting at
Malacanang on Wednesday how to widen economic and tourism ties between the two
countries.
President Aquino said the institution of
transparency and adherence to sound macroeconomic fundamentals have contributed
to the resurgence of the economy of both countries.
“We also discussed the prospects brought about
by this resurgence—and how with it we can strengthen trade and investment
activity between our two nations,” said the Philippine President.
In 2013, the total bilateral trade of the
Philippines and Vietnam amounted to US$1.33 billion.
“Our objective now is to attain a two-way trade
to the tune of US$ 3 billion by 2016,” President Aquino said.
President Aquino also said that they also
discussed opportunities for tourism cooperation such as developing cruise
tourism.
“I look forward to other innovative
collaborations for tourism between our countries, since both our nations view
this sector as an important driver for growth not only for our economies,”
President Aquino said. PND (ag)
