MADRID (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed confidence yesterday that the commercial aspect of the Philippines-Spain relations will pick up following her two-day official visit here.

In a pre-departure interview at the Ritz Hotel where she was billeted during her stay in Madrid, the President said the historic religious and cultural relations between the Philippines and Spain have produced a strong foundation for strong trade ties.

The President said Spain’s economy, riding on the crest of its booming tourism industry, has progressed by leaps and bounds over the past 10 years. Spain, she added, is now the No. 2 tourist destination in the world.

Spain’s economic success, she noted, is tourism-driven.

She said that Spain gained its current economic status after it implemented economic reforms that her administration is similarly undertaking. Spain now boasts of a per capita income that is almost at par with the leading economic powers in Europe.

Spain is looking eastward to Asia to expand its trade and commercial activities, especially with the big three economies in the region: Japan, China and South Korea. The Arroyo administration is hoping that Spain will establish its headquarters of Spain’s Asian operation in the Philippines.

The President said she was gratified that in its trade expansion program for Asia, Spain has included the Philippines as a priority area of its economic thrust.

In her discussions with European businessmen, the Chief Executive said the Philippines offers almost limitless opportunities for investors in tourism, infrastructure and energy.

The President clarified that red tape, which she mentioned in an interview in answer to a question, did not refer to delays in the processing of investment proposals, but rather in government contracts.

She also assured investors of speedy action on their proposals through a clearing house under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI Secretary Peter Favila earlier said that the President will issue an Executive Order directing DTI to take over the function of processing investment applications to avoid red tape.

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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived this morning from Madrid after winding up successful official visits to the Vatican City, the Republic of Italy, and the Kingdom of Spain.

The week-long official travel of the President centered on boosting trade, investment, tourism, labor and other aspects of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and three of its major partners in Europe.

The President, who wore an emerald green dress, disembarked from the chartered Philippine Airlines flight No. 001 at around 9:45 a.m. at the 250^th Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW) in Villlamor Air Base, Pasay City, together with her entourage composed of some members of her family, other government officials, and a delegation of businessmen

Among those who met the President as she stepped on the tarmac were Vice President Noli de Castro, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Presidential Management Staff Chief Arthur Yap and Philippine National Police Director General Arturo Lomibao.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga accompanied the President during her review of the troops who accorded their commander-in-chief full arrival honors.

The President was then ushered into the Presidential Lounge of the PAW where she was welcomed by employees and staff of both PAW and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

The President then proceeded to her waiting car that took her back to Malacaņang following her seven-day European visit.

President Arroyo, who left Manila on June 25, first visited the Vatican City where she had a private audience with his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at the Apostolic Palace at St. Peter’s Square on June 26. It was the first meeting between the President and the Pope.

In the exchange of gifts during their meeting, the President presented her host with a hard-bound copy of Republic Act No. 9346 abolishing the death penalty in the Philippines.

President Arroyo signed the new law on the eve of her departure for Rome.

In accepting the President’s gift together with an image of the Nuestra Seņora de Guia, the Pontiff expressed his deep appreciation for the scrapping of the capital punishment in the Philippines.

For his part, Pope Benedict gave the President a religious book and other mementoes of the Vatican.

While in the Vatican, President Arroyo also had a meeting with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State of the Vatican.

She also visited the Crypt of Pope John Paul II at the ground level of the old St. Peter’s Basilica to pay homage to the late Pontiff who visited the Philippines twice –first in 1981 and again in 1995.

Before departing for Spain, President Arroyo also met with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at Palazzo del Quirinale and Prime Minister Romano Prodi at Palazzo Chigi.

The President’s official visit to Italy has raised hopes for an early agreement with the Italian government on three pending proposals that would raise the threshold of social protection and other benefits for the more than 80,000 documented Filipino expatriates in that country.

The three pending proposals are the Philippines-Italy Social Security Agreement, RP-Italy Memorandum of Understanding on the Automatic Conversion of Driver’s Licenses, and RP-Italy Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Agricultural Science and Technology and Promotion of Agricultural Trade.

Prime Minister Prodi assured President Arroyo that his government would seriously consider the Philippine proposals.

From Italy, the President proceeded to Madrid for a series of meetings with top Spanish officials and leading Iberian businessmen in a bid to bolster economic, diplomatic and labor relations between the Philippines and Spain.

Topping the list of her engagements in her Madrid visit were meetings with King Juan Carlos I at the Palacio de la Zarzuela, Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero at the Palacio de la Moncloa, and the officials and members of the Confederation of Employers and Industries of Spain, the country’s biggest organization of businessmen.

The President said the three words that best described her official visit to Spain were "life, solidarity, and prosperity."

Life, the President said, because last June 24, the feast day of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I, she signed into law the abolition of the death penalty.

"Solidarity, because Spain has played a major role in our history," she said.

Prosperity, the President added, because thousands of Filipinos have come to Spain to work, and whose presence has contributed to the increased knowledge and understanding between the two peoples.

On June 29, the Philippines and Spain signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will open the doors for the entry into Spain of Filipino professionals and skilled workers.

Outgoing Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas signed the agreement for the Philippine government, while Spanish Minister for Labor and Immigration Jose Caldera signed for Spain.

Sto. Tomas said the agreement would initially benefit up to 100,000 Filipino health care workers under a pilot project arrangement.

While in Madrid, the President also visited Spain’s Congreso de los Diputados and the Ayuntamiento de Madrid (Madrid City Hall).

She offered a wreath at the Madrid monument of Dr. Jose Rizal, a replica of the national hero’s monument at Manila’s Rizal Park, and also met with members of the Filipino community in Spain.

The President also participated in the celebration of Filipino-Hispano Friendship Day in Madrid on June 30.

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I ARRIVE HOME IN TIME FOR THE GREAT VICTORY OF MANNY PACQUIAO IN ANOTHER MOMENT OF PRIDE FOR THE FILIPINO, WHO SHINES EVERYWHERE AND IN EVERY FIELD IN THE GLOBAL FIRMAMENT.

AS I CONGRATULATE MANNY FOR A FIGHT WELL FOUGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FILIPINO PEOPLE FOR STANDING BESIDE ME IN MY VISIT TO SPAIN, ITALY AND THE VATICAN IN THE NAME OF LIFE, HUMAN SOLIDARITY, AND PROSPERITY.

I BRING HOME THE WARM GREETINGS OF THE LEADERS I ENCOUNTERED, AND THE GOOD TIDINGS OF ALL OUR KABABAYANS IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD.

THE LEADERS I MET WELCOMED THE PRO-LIFE, PRO-FAMILY, AND PRO-PEOPLE VISION OF THE FILIPINO. IN BEHALF OF OUR PEOPLE, I RECEIVED ONLY PRAISE AND SUPPORT FROM THE LEADERS OF THE VATICAN, ITALY AND SPAIN FOR OUR LEADING ROLE IN BRINGING TOGETHER VARIOUS FAITHS FOR PEACE.

SA AMING PAG-UUSAP NG MAHAL NA SANTO PAPA, IPINAABOT NIYA SA AKIN AT SA BANSANG PILIPINAS ANG KANYANG PAGBABASBAS AT NANGAKONG IPAGDARASAL NIYA ANG SAMBAYANANG PILIPINO AT ANG PATULOY NA PAG-UNLAD NG ATING BAYAN.

IN BEHALF OF FILIPINO CATHOLICS, I EXPRESSED OUR DREAM FOR MORE FILIPINO ARCHBISHOPS TO THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS AS WELL AS THE PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MOTHER IGNACIA DEL ESPIRITU SANTO AND THE CANONIZATION OF BLESSED PEDRO CALUNGSOD.

FILIPINOS ARE THE MOST ENDEARING BRIDGES BETWEEN THEIR HOST COUNTRIES AND OUR OWN. ITALIAN PRESIDENT NAPOLITANO AND PRIME MINISTER PRODI BOTH ASSURED ME THAT THEIR GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER OUR KABABAYANS WHO FORM THE SIXTH LARGEST OVERSEAS COMMUNITY IN ITALY. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REGULARIZATION OF THE STATUS OF OUR OFWS THERE, AND WE STARTED IN A SYMBOLIC WAY BY AGREEING ON THE AUTOMATIC CONVERSION OF DRIVERS LICENSES THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND ITALY.

AS IN THE VATICAN AND ROME, I THANKED THE GOVERNMENT OF SPAIN FOR MOVING TO REGULARIZE THE SENDING OF FILIPINO HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TO SPAIN.

MY VISIT WAS PERFECTLY TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE-SPANISH FRIENDSHIP DAY AND THE 2006 PHILIPPINE-SPANISH CULTURAL YEAR.

HIS MAJESTY KING JUAN CARLOS I AND QUEEN SOFIA ACCORDED ME THEIR WARMEST AND MOST GRACIOUS WELCOME AND I WAS HONORED TO ACCEPT HIS MAJESTY’S INVITATION FOR A STATE VISIT TO SPAIN NEXT YEAR, THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OUR DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.

PRIME MINISTER JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO AND I WERE ONE IN OUR RESOLVE TO BOLSTER OUR AGREEMENTS IN DEFENSE AND JUDICIAL COOPERATION

I MET WITH THE CONFEDERACION ESPANOLA DE ORGANIZACIONES EMPRESARIALES, THE LARGEST ECONOMIC GROUP IN SPAIN. THERE WAS SERIOUS INTEREST IN INVESTMENTS IN THE TOURISM, INFRASTRUCTURE, MINING, ENERGY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. FOUR PROJECTS WORTH 300 MILLION EUROS ARE ON STREAM FOR OIL AND GAS, HOTEL AND RESORT DEVELOPMENT, ICT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.

IN THE COURSE OF MY TRIP, SPANISH AND FILIPINO PARLIAMENTARIANS BELONGING TO THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT INTERNATIONAL SIGNED A PROTOCOL FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE CONVERSION/INVESTMENT OF FOREIGN DEBT OF POOR COUNTRIES.

THE CONFERENCE SEEKS TO CREATE A SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT WILL SERVE AS A PLATFORM FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE DEBT OF 100 POOR AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES INTO MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, WITH THE AIM OF REDUCING BY HALF POVERTY BY 2015.

ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS CONVERGE WITH OUR CONTINUING GAINS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH, POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

I AM DETERMINED TO LEVERAGE ALL DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS TO PUSH THE LIMITS OF OUR VISION TO BE A FIRST WORLD NATION IN TWENTY YEARS ON THE BACK OF FILIPINO ENTERPRISE, VIBRANT TRADE AND PERMANENT PEACE AND STABILITY FOR THE PHILIPPINES.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK VICE PRESIDENT DE CASTRO AND THE CABINET FOR FORGING AHEAD IN THE DAY TO DAY CONCERNS OF GOVERNANCE WHILE I WAS GONE. I WILL JOIN THE EXECUTIVE TEAM TOMORROW TO LEAD OUR CONTINUING FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY, GOOD GOVERNANCE, INVESTMENTS AND JOBS. IN ALL STAGES OF MY TRIP, MY HEART WAS ALWAYS WITH THE FILIPINO POOR.

MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

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