'The Best Is Yet To Come'
Aquino Parades Government Gains
By JC BELLO RUIZ
March 17, 2012
Manila Bulletin
“...we are on the threshold of transforming this country, our society, and the lives of our people." - Pres. Benigno Aquino III
MANILA, Philippines — Citing the big gains in the Philippine economy, particularly the record jump in the stock market, President Benigno S. Aquino III proclaimed that “we are on the threshold of transforming this country, our society, and the lives of our people."
Speaking during the 20th anniversary of the Anvil Business Club at a hotel in Makati City last Friday, the President confidently predicted that the best is yet to come for the country.
Earlier in the day the Philippine Stock Exchange index hit 5,145.89 points, a new high.
"Who could have imagined, two years ago, that our stock market would set record highs 21 times in as many months in office by this administration? Just Saturday, it closed at 5,145.89. I would like it to grow bigger, with more record highs than my months in service. And I think that is very possible," Aquino said.
With greater cooperation between government and the private sector, Aquino expressed belief that the best is yet to come for the country.
"We are on the road to becoming one of the world’s more successful economies: HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) recently predicted that by the year 2050 we will be the 16th largest economy in the world. Of course this is still a long way off, but two years ago, how many people imagined that we would be receiving such distinctions?," he said.
"How many people thought that when agencies like the Japanese JETRO agency surveyed Japanese firms in Asia and Oceania, that their conclusions would say that we have significant advantages, as far as cost of doing business, the supply and quality of labor, and employee salaries, compared to other countries in the region? Making us, in fact, the number one business destination in Asia, whether in the manufacturing or service sectors," the President stressed.
At the same time, the President also asked for greater cooperation between management and labor.
"This is just the start. Management has the vision and the resources; workers have the wherewithal to use those resources and make that vision a reality. Imagine what heights we can soar to, if management and labor can propel each other upward by truly working together," Aquino said.
"We can, and we have already been doing it. The challenge before us is to accelerate this transformation further. Together, it will be done," Aquino said.
The President also said he hopes to attract 10 million tourists to the Philippines annually by 2016 as he revealed a proposal to reserve 78 new ecotourism sites.
“There are about 14 million tourists who visit Thailand, about 22-24 million visit Malaysia. In comparison when we got it to office there was only three million that visit the Philippines, so therefore this is an experience that has yet to be experienced by a lot more of the citizens of the world," he said during the forum following his speech.
Aquino underscored the importance of upgrading the country's airports.
"Once the upgrades in the airports, in particular, have been achieved, and we have approved upgrades to Kalibo, Caticlan, Puerto Princesa, Laguindingan in Cagayan de Oro, and others, and of course, Clark will not be left behind. Then this will make travel easier," he said.
Aquino, who is barely two years in office, said he feels he is already on his fourth year. The President's term will end at noon of June 30, 2016.
His consolation is that at least his administration is "a little quieter" than that of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino, who had to fend several coup d'etats.
"Well, for one thing I had not to content with nine coup d’etats so it’s a little quieter. The other thing is of course, I think, I did say in my speech that I’m standing on the shoulders of those that came before us. So I was not thrust into it and expected---you know, it’s like being thrust into deep end of the pool. At least I was wading in the shallow end of the pool during my mother’s term that gave me some ideas of what to expect when I got here," Aquino said.
He said there are a lot of "good news" about the Philippines' economic gains though they are hardly reported in the local media.
Earlier in the day the Philippine Stock Exchange index hit 5,145.89 points, a new high.
"Who could have imagined, two years ago, that our stock market would set record highs 21 times in as many months in office by this administration? Just Saturday, it closed at 5,145.89. I would like it to grow bigger, with more record highs than my months in service. And I think that is very possible," Aquino said.
With greater cooperation between government and the private sector, Aquino expressed belief that the best is yet to come for the country.
"We are on the road to becoming one of the world’s more successful economies: HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) recently predicted that by the year 2050 we will be the 16th largest economy in the world. Of course this is still a long way off, but two years ago, how many people imagined that we would be receiving such distinctions?," he said.
"How many people thought that when agencies like the Japanese JETRO agency surveyed Japanese firms in Asia and Oceania, that their conclusions would say that we have significant advantages, as far as cost of doing business, the supply and quality of labor, and employee salaries, compared to other countries in the region? Making us, in fact, the number one business destination in Asia, whether in the manufacturing or service sectors," the President stressed.
At the same time, the President also asked for greater cooperation between management and labor.
"This is just the start. Management has the vision and the resources; workers have the wherewithal to use those resources and make that vision a reality. Imagine what heights we can soar to, if management and labor can propel each other upward by truly working together," Aquino said.
"We can, and we have already been doing it. The challenge before us is to accelerate this transformation further. Together, it will be done," Aquino said.
The President also said he hopes to attract 10 million tourists to the Philippines annually by 2016 as he revealed a proposal to reserve 78 new ecotourism sites.
“There are about 14 million tourists who visit Thailand, about 22-24 million visit Malaysia. In comparison when we got it to office there was only three million that visit the Philippines, so therefore this is an experience that has yet to be experienced by a lot more of the citizens of the world," he said during the forum following his speech.
Aquino underscored the importance of upgrading the country's airports.
"Once the upgrades in the airports, in particular, have been achieved, and we have approved upgrades to Kalibo, Caticlan, Puerto Princesa, Laguindingan in Cagayan de Oro, and others, and of course, Clark will not be left behind. Then this will make travel easier," he said.
Aquino, who is barely two years in office, said he feels he is already on his fourth year. The President's term will end at noon of June 30, 2016.
His consolation is that at least his administration is "a little quieter" than that of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino, who had to fend several coup d'etats.
"Well, for one thing I had not to content with nine coup d’etats so it’s a little quieter. The other thing is of course, I think, I did say in my speech that I’m standing on the shoulders of those that came before us. So I was not thrust into it and expected---you know, it’s like being thrust into deep end of the pool. At least I was wading in the shallow end of the pool during my mother’s term that gave me some ideas of what to expect when I got here," Aquino said.
He said there are a lot of "good news" about the Philippines' economic gains though they are hardly reported in the local media.
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