Dumaguete City (PIA) - The Philippines has remained resilient in the face of global economic upheaval as a result of strong economic reforms initiated by the national government.
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in a one-on-one media interview recently held in Cebu, stressed that the country has weathered the economic storm brought about by the global economic crisis and attributed this to the investments her administration has made for the first in physical and human infrastructure projects in the country.
Billions of pesos have also been poured into trainings of workers which she said is part of the human infrastructure in the education and healthcare sectors.
The President, in the interview with Bobby Nalzaro, GMA-7 Cebu news anchor and radio commentator of DYSS Cebu, said that under her term, aggressive economic reforms have yielded encouraging results. "What we have done is to ensure that progress is maintained in the economic and physical fronts, and also, we are working to turn these investments into real benefits for our people."
Pres. Arroyo added that measures are being taken to ensure that the government is giving the Filipino workers the support they need in these challenging times. "These efforts range from investment that create jobs to retaining programs that will help them find employment."
The President has recently underscored the need to keep the Asian continent as "calm and coordinated" as possible in the midst of the global economic uncertainties. Citing the strength of India and China as well as other parts in Asia, the President said the Asian continent is best situated to weather the global economic crisis and come up the strongest compared with other continents like America and Europe.
The Arroyo administration has implemented pro-poor programs in what the President calls the three E's: education, environment and economy. "These pro-poor programs are important in lifting our nation up and to prepare our country for the next leaders. This is what I want to do for the rest of my term to revitalize our country," she said.
Asked how she would like to be remembered for now that her term is about to end, the President replied: "I'd like to be remembered as someone who worked very hard to instill permanent change in our, to reform our economy and more importantly, that these reforms generate the revenues necessary to be able for us to bring the benefits of a stronger economy to all our people, and not just the rich."
Pres. Arroyo stressed that much is left to be done, "But we want to continue doing this for the rest of my term on the three E's."
RP exports up 15.9% in March from April
Merchandise exports in March 2009 amounted to $2.9 billion compared to $4.2 billion for the same period last year, but better than last February’s $2.5 billion.
The figure represents the sixth consecutive month of export contraction as all major commodity groups, except for forest products, posted significant year-on-year declines.
On a cumulative basis, export revenues for the first quarter of 2009 amounted to $7.9 billion, 36.8 percent lower that the same period in 2008.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said in a memorandum to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the Philippines’ Asian neighbors likewise experienced slowing down of their exports decline in March.
Malaysia’s export decline eased to 15.6 percent in March (from 15.9 percent in February); Hong Kong, 20.5 percent in March (from 22.4 percent in February); Singapore, 21 percent (from 24 percent in February) and China, 17.1 percent (from 25.7percent in February).
Exports of electronics and machinery/transport equipment, two of the country’s major manufactured products grew by 19.9 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively even as garments exports declined by 7.6 percent from Feb. 2009.
The slight rebound in electronics exports for March compared to February followed global trends where global sales of semiconductors grew by 3.3 percent with demand stabilizing somewhat as reported by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Sales in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific grew by 5.1 percent, 3.1 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively. Sales in Japan, however, were sharply lower by 9.4 percent from Feb. 2009.
On the bright side, the “global semiconductor manufacturing industry is expected to take a breather in the second quarter, as utilization rises by 60 percent as reported by iSupply Inc., a market research company.
Majority of the country’s electronics exports for March went to China, the Netherlands, United States, Japan and Hong Kong.
Agro-based products exports grew by 8.1 percent in March; mineral products, 5.7 percent, and petroleum products, 7.8 percent. Growth rates of these commodity groups, however, are still in negative territory compared to March 2008.
Export receipts from forest products increased by 22.4 percent and 48.8 percent, for month-on-month and year-on-year, respectively.
The United States remained the biggest market for Philippine goods with 17.3 percent share of total revenues for March 2009, followed by Japan with 15.4 percent share.
Other major export markets were China, 106 percent; Hong Kong, 9.4 percent and the Netherlands, 9.2 percent. The aggregated shipments to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan reached 23.3 percent of merchandise exports in March 2009.
PRESS RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS: Saturday May 16 – Friday May 22, 2009
The President on Monday led the commemoration of sixty years of RP-India relations at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. Among the highlights of the event was the awarding of citations to six Philippine government departments and several Indian personalities and organizations for their contributions to the strengthening of relations between the two countries. Note that Philippine-Indian relations were first established back in 1949, and the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Narciso Ramos was the first Philippine ambassador to India. In 1952, five years after India's independence in 1947, the Philippines and India signed a Treaty of Friendship to strengthen and perpetuate their friendly relations. Soon after, the Philippine Legation was established in New Delhi which was later elevated to an Embassy. In October 2007, President Arroyo also embarked on a state visit to India where she presided over several events in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Agra.
Marine Conservation:
President Arroyo has called on her fellow Coral Triangle countries’ leaders to carry the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Leaders’ Declaration to the United Nations for it to be uploaded into the UN’s framework convention on climate change. She stressed that the major industrialized nations, as well as the rest of the developed world, have to live up to their UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) obligations, “particularly those related to access to affordable and appropriate technology and the provision of funding for climate change management programs.” Speaking ahead of the five other heads of state of the CT region during the CTI Summit 2009 in Manado last week, President Arroyo-the most senior head of state of the CTI-pointed out, “In the Philippines, we are carrying out a joint effort of our government, Conservation International, and WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to identify a new priority seascape in line with the regional plan of action and our own national plan,” adding, “That is why we have the Green Philippines Initiative; this includes a national commitment to clean air, clean water, and clean land. We are also working to find harmony between jobs and the environment and to find new ways to provide clean energy.” She crucially declared, “Let us continue our efforts towards sustainable development of our shared coastal and marine resources-there is no higher calling than the protection of our environment.”
Fisheries Management:
The Philippines is set to lead a tri-national fisheries management project with Indonesia and Malaysia, and is also in the midst of several fisheries partnership agreements with fellow Coral Triangle countries, as revealed by the President herself at the recently concluded CTI Summit in Manado, Indonesia last week. “Our national plan uses the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Eco-region program, the SSME, as its platform in such areas as the management of marine protected areas and networks, and the use of an ecosystem approach to sustainable fisheries management,” President Arroyo thus elucidated. She also informed that the Philippines had earlier signed separate Memorandums of Understandings on fisheries cooperation with Timor Leste and with Papua New Guinea “as part of our commitment to the sustainable development of the fishing industry.”
The President explained that the members of BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines- East Asia Growth Area) are also pursuing the establishment of a joint fisheries consortium among their private sectors, as she reminded, ”We have a moral obligation to ensure that the beauty and bounty of the land, air, and sea remain for the rest of time.”
Economy:
The President has underscored the need to keep the Asian continent “as calm and coordinated” as possible in the midst of the current global crisis. Citing the strength of India and China, as well as other parts of Asia, she pointed out that Asia is best situated to weather the global storm and resurface the strongest, compared to other continents like Europe and America. President Arroyo thus declared, “It is time to harness the potentials of Asia to capitalize on its resources and to give the Pan-Asian region a stronger voice in shaping the world economic order.” She also reminded that the Philippines views its Asian neighbors, like India, as partners in economic development.
Rescued Hostages:
Nine of the sixteen Filipino crew of the oil tanker M/V Spirit, which was hijacked by Nigerian militants in the city of Warri in Delta State on May 13 have now been rescued, although two of them suffered slight injuries. The DFA has informed that the rescued Filipinos are expected to be turned over to the custody of the Philippine embassy in Abiya, Nigeria. In fact, DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. is presently in Nigeria to personally assist in the arrangements for the safe return of the seafarers. He stated that the reported death of one of the crew members during the rescue operations has not yet been confirmed.
Human Rights:
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on Wednesday expounded upon the United Nations Committee Against Torture’s recently released advanced unedited version of its concluding observations on the consideration of the Philippines’ consolidated 2nd to 4th reports on its compliance to the Convention Against Torture in Geneva, Switzerland on April 28-29, 2009, stating, “Notwithstanding that the observations have yet to be made official, we are very encouraged that the Committee has noted and appreciated many positive aspects in the country’s compliance to the Convention.” On behalf of the Philippine government, he assured the UN Committee Against Torture that all its pertinent and relevant concerns and recommendations will be appropriately acted upon, reminding that the Philippines has never reneged on its six-decade-old commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. Secretary Ermita additionally called upon “all Non-Government Organizations and civil society groups to formally present their cases of alleged torture before the Philippine government, specifically though the Presidential Human Rights Committee, so that these can be properly acted upon.”
Similarly, in keeping with its role as one of the leaders in the fight against human trafficking, the Philippines last week reiterated before the United Nations General Assembly the importance of synergy in all intergovernmental efforts against trafficking in persons. Ambassador Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, underscored this point in the statement he delivered during the recently concluded Interactive Thematic Dialogue of the General Assembly. Themed "Taking Collective Action to End Human Trafficking, " the interactive dialogue was sponsored by the Philippines, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, and Bahrain. "Human trafficking is a gross violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In a world that prides itself as civilized, human trafficking is not only a form of slavery; it is far worse than any form of slavery,” Ambassador Davide thus declared. The Philippines is recognized as being among the leading countries pro-active in the fight against human trafficking. A resolution entitled "Trafficking in Women and Girls" is tabled biannually by the country at the General Assembly and is traditionally adopted by consensus.
Tourism:
Despite the global economic downturn, the Philippine tourism industry has continued to expand in terms of investments, travel, and employment this year as a result of the Department of Tourism’s persistent and focused campaign at both the local and international level. DOT Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano cited the rewards reaped by his department’s efforts towards this end, such as tourism campaigns abroad; travel and trade fairs; and inviting foreign travel sales agents and hotel, resort, and restaurant owners, as well as media to visit and discover the Philippines’ natural beauty, its rich history and culture, various products, medical tourism, and overall conducive investment climate. He also informed that this year the country has been topping travel ticket sales and widespread publicity in Continental Europe’s most influential and leading travel magazines and trade publications. The DOT is additionally promoting the Philippines’ top tourist spots to second and third generation Americans and Canadians by holding an annual Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Guide Tour (ACGTD) on July 11-17 with some 500 participants, marked by the special experience of meeting and having lunch with President Arroyo. Overall, the volume of domestic tourists visiting key destinations grew at 13 percent, while foreign arrivals recorded a four percent hike in the first quarter.
On the end of Sri Lankan civil war
The Philippines welcomes the return of law and order in northern Sri Lanka and supports the Government of Sri Lanka’s search for a comprehensive, fair, and lasting political solution to the problems faced by its Tamil minority.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to visit the Republic of Korea
22 May 2009—H.E. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will visit the Republic of Korea on 30 May - 2 June 2009, upon the invitation of H.E. President Lee Myung Bak.
The President's trip will include an Official Bilateral Visit on 30-31 May, and her participation in the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in Jeju Island on 1-2 June.
The Official Visit will be an opportunity for the two Leaders to discuss the state of bilateral relations and chart a new direction for a strategic and mutually-beneficial future, especially in the economic field.
The Commemorative Summit, on the other hand, will help affirm the two countries' collaboration with the rest of the region and the international community in the face of global economic and security challenges.
The visit is made even more meaningful by the celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, which the President has also declared "Philippines - Republic of Korea. Friendship Year", and by the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-Republic of Korea Dialogue Relations.
The Republic of Korea is one of the Philippines most dynamic bilateral partners. Bilateral trade stands at around USD 5.06 Billion. Over USD 3 Billion in Korean investments have topped the list in FDI inflows in the country, while over 600,000 Korean tourists annually take the largest share of the visitor arrivals in the Philippines.
Korean assistance has also provided much needed financing for development projects around the country, particularly in infrastructure, railway links, agriculture, information technology training and health.
Diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea were established on 3 March 1949, while ASEAN-Republic of Korea Dialogue Relations were established in November 1989.
