Departure Statement of the President: New Zealand - Australia trip |
We have made foreign engagement a central pillar of our economic gains and national security. The Philippines must continue to aggressively engage the world in order to modernize the nation, bolster our security and attract new investments to lift up our poor. Last week, we traveled north to Japan to advance the interests of our nation with one of Asia’s new giants. The trip to Japan was successful in bringing more private investments, more government aid and greater support for peace and security to our nation. This week, we travel south to visit our friends and staunch allies in New Zealand and Australia. These two great nations are partners of the Philippines in expanded trade, increased security cooperation and closer cultural relations. In New Zealand, we are honored to be spending so much time with Prime Minister Helen Clark. Prime Minister Clark is a leader on interfaith dialogue and cooperation. She is a prime catalyst for greater understanding among all peoples of all faiths in our region. Interfaith dialogue is a vital component of our peace initiative in Mindanao. We welcome the role that New Zealand and Australia both play there in terms of financial and diplomatic initiatives. In Australia, we will join Prime Minister Howard. We will witness the signing of a historic defense cooperation agreement between our two nations. This Status of Forces Agreement will help professionalize the Philippine Armed Forces, provide new equipment and strengthen our fight against terrorism. In Australia and New Zealand, we will once again be advancing our economic as well as security interests through meetings with private investors and businesses interested in locating in the Philippines. We will continue to promote the benefits of the Philippines with every ounce of our energy. Our nation’s economy is on a permanent path of growth and stability. We are the best value in Asia due to our well-educated and hardworking people. |
PGMA's
Opening Statement during a Joint Press Conference with Prime
Minister Helen Clark |
| Thank you,
Prime Minister. I'm very honored to share this podium with you. We're reaffirming our deep ties and shared values between our two countries. In this particular trip, we're focused on broader collaboration on environmental management, human rights, as mentioned by the prime minister, indigenious people's welfare, good governance, as well as the great potential for bilateral commerce. We are the fourth biggest market for dairy products from New Zealand and the second biggest market for milk. And today, we were discussing how some of the milk processing can be done in the Philippines. Prime Minister Clark mentioned our interfaith dialogue that we're going to do in Waitangi. Indeed, for the Philippines interfaith dialogue is not just an abstract theory. It's a major contributor to peace and stability in Mindanao where we've taken steps to bring interfaith dialogue to bear upon a peace process that has resulted in a four-year ceasefire and monumental strides in economic growth, for which we also thank New Zealand for their participation in the Mindanao trust fund. In broader geo-political relations, we thank New Zealand for acknowledging how far our relations have gone between ASEAN and New Zealand during the Philippines' coordinatorship of that relationship. And now New Zealand plays a major role in the East Asian Summit. As current chair of ASEAN, we've seen the warming of the ties between ASEAN on the one hand, New Zealand and Australia, Japan and China, India and Korea on the other -- all within the context of common prosperity and collective security. We talked about energy security in the last East Asian Summit. And I welcome Prime Minister Clark's suggestion that we should also discuss interfaith dialogue in the forthcoming summits. East Asia is now a global leader for equitable trade with a clear social dividend and solid security with a soft touch. And our relationship with New Zealand is incorporated in this paradigm. We thank New Zealand for bringing to East Asia her profound and relentless commitment to human rights, the environment, peace and interfaith dialogue. For bringing to the table "soft" strategies that guarantee peace, reinforcing the hard elements such as the law enforcement agreement that we signed today. And indeed, we're grateful for New Zealand's environmental assistance to the Phlippines. We're proud of the success of the Bukidnon plantation project. We look forward to continuing assistance from New Zealand in forest plantation. Every tree grants sustained livelihood, eases global warming and saves lives. And I told Prime Minister Clark and the cabinet about our green Philippines initiative to develop an environmental blueprint for our nation for the next 100 years. And we certainly could use the help and assistance of New Zealand in this very challenging task. So it's an honor for me to visit you, Prime Minister. Continue our friendship and the friendship of our two countries. And as I said earlier, though it's a chilly day by Philippine standard, it was a very warm welcome that we have received from you. Thank you. |
PGMA's
Speech during the State Luncheon hosted by Prime Minister
Helen Clark |
| Thank you.
Thank you very much, Prime Minister Clark. Speaker Wilson; excellencies of the diplomatic corps; ministers, both of New Zealand and the Philippines; members of parliament, both of New Zealand and the Philippines; Mr. Key, leader of the opposition; members of the business community; the Filipino community leaders who are here; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen: I thank the people of New Zealand for such a warm welcome. We're happy to reciprocate the pleasure we had of receiving Prime Minister Clark last year in the Philippines. Last year, Prime Minister Clark went to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries and also co-sponsored the interfaith dialogue that was held in Cebu. This year we are here also to have a bilateral visit and to celebrate interfaith dialogue. As we meet to advance the understanding of our cultures and religions, we must value the diversity that binds us. Our faith can become a powerful force for good. Yet, we must draw a line when religious faith becomes political extremism. We all know that the world in our region have tasted a bitter root of extremism masquerading as a peaceful religion. And that is why the dialogue in Waitangi will be all important for our region. Indeed, the Philippines and New Zealand are old friends. We have shared diplomatic bilateral relations for four decades. Precisely, Prime Minister Clark's visit celebrating 40 years of our diplomatic relations last year. But our friendship is older than that. We shared a bond of kinship from the wars of the 20th century, and now a war against the new form of terrorism in the 21st century. As we fought against tyrants and prevailed in the past century, so too also will we fight for each other now and win this century's battle against global terrorism. We also deeply appreciate our development cooperation partnership with New Zealand. We appreciate New Zealand generosity in sharing with the Philippines its expertise and help on the environment, on eco-tourism, on indigenous peoples and on governance. We thank New Zealand for supporting our efforts to promote peace and development in Mindanao as well as in the cordillera autonomous region. Interfaith dialogue, economic aid and social justice are powerful instruments in the fight against terrorism. Every job we create amidst unemployment and poverty is one less reason for someone in poverty to slip into terrorism. These are rare tools of what we call the "soft" power that form the core of our paradigm in Mindanao. The use of the "soft" power is every bit as forceful as the hard power of military armaments. The Asia-Pacific to which we both belong is the most economically dynamic region in the world today. Our two countries must tap this dynamism to the full. We double our efforts to expand bilateral trade, investment, and yes, tourism linkages, and boost regional economic integration and growth to the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit, the East Asian Summit, APEC and other dialogue mechanisms. Although New Zealand is a very rich country, indeed, a first world country, suppose to be one of the two most efficient countries in the world, still we thank you for making the Philippines feel important. Not only are we your twelfth largest trading partner, we are your fourth biggest dairy market and your second biggest milk market. Therefore that's a good start for us, for both of us to open up our markets to each other in goods, services and ideas. On that note, I ask everyone to raise their glasses: to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of New Zealand. |
PGMA's
Speech during a Meeting with the Filipino Community in Wellington,
New Zealand |
| Maraming
salamat. Salamat, mahal ko rin kayo. Maraming salamat, Ambassador Tejano sa iyong malalim na malalim na Tagalog at pagpapabati sa aming lahat mga lider ng Filipino community dito sa Wellington. Gusto kong ipakilala, una sa lahat, ang ating delegasyon na sumama sa atin ngayon. At least man lang ang ating mga official delegation gawa nang nandito rin yung ibang mga negosyante rito. Nandito ang ating Secretary of Agriculture, si Secretary Arthur Yap; nandito ang ating Secretary of Trade and Industry, si Peter Favila at si Mrs. Favila; nandito ang ating secretary of the environment, si Secretary Angie Reyes; eto kilalang-kilala ninyo, ang ating Chairman ng Committee on Foreign Relations sa Senado, si Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago; mula sa Kongreso ang ating Deputy Speaker, si Congressman Raul Del Mar and Mrs. Del mar; ang ating Senior Deputy Majority Leader mula sa Iloilo, si Congressman Art Defensor at Mrs. Defensor; ang congressman mula sa Palawan, si Tony Alvarez; eto naman congresswoman ngayon pero pagdating ng hunyo a-treinta gobernador na ng Davao Oriental, si Cora Malanyaon; mula naman sa Bulacan, si Congresswoman Lorna Silverio at si Neneng Nicolas, parehong taga Bulacan; mula sa Occidental Mindoro, si Girlie Villarosa; mula sa Batangas, si Dodo Mandanas; gobernador mula sa Misamis Occidental, Governor Leo Ocampos; ang pangulo ng lahat ng city mayors sa buong Pilipinas, City Mayor ng Iloilo, Jerry Treņas. And I would also like to acknowledge the presence of Ambassador David Pine, the Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines at iba pang mga opisyal at saka ating mga negosyanteng sumama rito ngayon. Sa inyong lahat, mga kababayan, magandang hapon. Mahal kong mga kababayan, magandang hapon sa inyong lahat. Talagang nasisiyahan kami na magkaroon ng pagkakataong makasama kayong lahat. Noong ako ay bise presidente, nagpunta rin ako dito sa bahay na ito, pero hindi ko kayo nakita. Kaya maraming salamat ngayon ay nakita ko kayo kahit na pabilisan itong byaheng ito. At nagsasalamat ako na meron tayong panahong... Ewan ko ba yung malalim na salitang sinabi mo pero makahalubilo at least. At salamat sa inyong pagbati itong araw na ito. Ang bagsik-bagsik ng lamig pero tignan niyo naka philippine attire kayo kung saan eternal ang ating summer naka barong kayo kaya bibilisan ko ang aking diskurso para makapasok kayo. Ang lamig sa wellington pero nabawasan yung lamig sa inyong maiinit na ngiti at ang inyong maaraw na pagbati, pagbating Pilipino na binigay sa ating delegasyon. Alam niyo, una sa lahat, gusto kong ipahayag sa inyo na ninanais natin na darating ang araw when going abroad for a job is an option, not the only choice for a hardworking Filipino. kaya ang ating plano para sa ekonomiya ay nakatukoy sa sana ang Pilipinas ay makalaya dito sa ating cycle, yung pangangailangang mag-abroad pa upang maghanapbuhay, kaya nakatutok tayo sa ekonomiya. Pinapaasenso natin ang mga rehiyon ng ating bansa dahil kailangan imudmod natin ang kayamanan sa ibat-ibang lugar ng Pilipinas upang makahanap ng trabaho ang ating taumbayan sa sariling bayan. Naglilikha tayo ng mga trabaho sa pamamagitan ng pagtukoy ng mga preyoridad na sektor. Naghahanap tayo ng mga investments. At ako ay nasisisyahan na at least mabalita sa inyo na nakakaabot na ang ating ekonomiya sa bagong antas ng maturity at katatagan. In fact, sa ilang maraming taon, pinakamaganda ang mga sukat ng ating ekonomiya ngayon sa ilang dekada. Yung ating stock market, yung ating direct investments, yung interest rate natin ay napakababa. At yung ating poverty rate ay bumababa na. At least sa ating administrasyon one percentage point a year bumababa ang ating poverty rate. Ganunpaman, mataas pa rin. Noong isang linggo, ipinakita ng inyong kapwa pilipino ang katatagan ng ating pulitika. Nagkaroon tayo ng halalan -- mapayapa, patas, malaya. Ang mensahe nito ay -- matatag ang ating ekonomiya, malakas ang ating ekonomiya. Hindi nasisira ng pulitika ang landas na tinakda natin para sa reporma ng ekonomiya. Hindi mabubura ang progresong nakakamit natin para sa ating ekonomiya. Alam niyo, yung napag-alamang ko na dito rin pala sa New Zealand marami ring nag-aabroad. Kung sa ating 85 milyong Pilipino, walong milyon ay nasa labas. Dito apat na milyon sila, isang milyon ay nasa labas. At isa pang dapat magpasalamat ako, ang mga Pilipinong naiwan doon, yung mga nag-aabroad dito pinapadalhan ng magulang nila ng pera abroad. Kayo nagpapadala ng pera sa atin. So ang laki ng inyong kontribusyon hindi lamang sa ekonomiya ng New Zealand kung hindi na rin sa ating bansang Pilipinas. yung eight million na Pilipinong nasa ibang bansa, nung ako ay naging presidente nung 2001, eight million na yun. Ngayon eight million pa rin kasi habang may lumalabas, meron ding umuuwi. Ngunit yung pinapadalang remittance sa ating bansa ay halos nagdoble. Nung ako ay unang naging pangulo, ang namana ko, nagpapauwi ay seven billion dollars. Ngayon 13 billion dollars na from the same eight million Pilipino as a number. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Hinahanap natin ang dahilan at siguro ito ay may katotohanan din dito sa New Zealand. Balita ng mga nagsusubaybay sa ekonomiya na ang mga ofw ay nagsisimula nang mag-invest ng kita sa ating bansa kaysa gamitin lamang ito para suportahan ang mga pamilya. Kaya dapat ang itawag sa inyo ay hindi na overseas Filipino workers or OFW, kailangan OFI -- overseas Filipino investors. Kasi kung noong araw yung eight million nagpapadala ng seven billion para suportahan ang pamilya, eh ano yung balance na yun? Ano ngayon yung six billion na pinapadala over and above the support of the family? Yun ay investments. At yun ay tinatawag ng Central Bank na financial freedom. Binibigyan niyo ng financial freedom ang inyong sarili at inyong mga kamag-anak. Kasi ang financial freedom hindi tumitigil sa sapat ang pondo para masustento ang mga batayang pangangailangan ng isang pamilya. Kasing importante nakakaipon ng sapat na savings at nagagamit itong salaping katas ng inyong sikap bilang solid working capital. Kaya inaalok natin ang mga ofw na maging OFI, yun na nga, at gamitin ang inyong iniipon bilang puhunan sa paghahanda para sa kinabukasan ninyo at ng inyong pamilya. Napag-alaman ko rin dito sa mga nagsusubaybay ng ekonomiya saan niyo nilalagay ang inyong mga remittances yung karaniwang OFW or OFI. Ginagamit patungo raw sa human resource capital kasi edukasyon pinaggagastos ninyo. At merong mga Pilipino community na nagko-contribute pa ng mga classroom sa mga pamayanan ninyo. Ito ay puhunan para sa edukasyon. At meron ding naglalagay ng puhunan sa pangangailangan ng health care ng inyong mga alaga, yun ay investment hindi lang suporta for today's needs but for the future. At marami ring overseas Filipino na namumuhunan sa real estate, kasama ng pagbili ng lupa at pagtayo ng tahanan. Alam ba ninyo na kayo ngayon mga overseas Filipinos, 40 percent ng ating real estate market, kayo, ang real estate market ngayon. Kaya nagpapalaki kayo ng ating ekonomiya. At meron din akong nakilala doon sa Maynila -- kaya siguro totoo itong datos -- na nag-iinvest din ang karaniwang overseas Filipino ngayon sa capital investments. Merong naglalagay ng pera sa stock market, merong naglalagay ng pera sa government bonds, sa treasury bills, sa mutual funds at siyempre sa mga business ventures gaya ng mga maliliit or small and medium enterprises. Kaya ito ang pinupuntahan nung extra six billion dollars na dagdag na pinapadala ninyo, mukhang nagpapalit ng kultura ng mga remittances. Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat. Kaya ang laki ng inyong tulong sa ganansya ng ating ekonomiya. Ngayon ginigitna naman natin ang ganansya ng ating ekonomiya pati yung pambansang seguridad natin sa pakikipag-ugnay sa ibang bansa. Kailangan masigasig na ituloy ng pilipinas na makipag-ugnayan tayo sa mundo upang maging moderno ang ating bansa. For example, itong New Zealand, malaki ang tinutulong sa ating reforestation. Papano ba tayo magiging moderno kung parati tayong nagkakaron ng baha at landslide sa global warming. Pero sa pag reforestation namo-modernize ang ating ekonomiya. Napapapalakas din ang ating seguridad sa pag-uugnay sa ibang bansa. Yung terorismo ay transnational crime na yun. Umiikot kung saan-saan ang mga terorista. Pero kanina si General Calderon, namumuno sa ating pulis, ay nakapag pirmahan din sa chief ng police ng New Zealand para magtulungan sa law enforcement kontra sa mga transnational crimes. Kasama na doon yung terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking at iba pa. At siyempre importante rin na makaakit ng bagong investment upang makaahon ang ating mga mahihirap. Dito sa New Zealand ay malaki ang binebenta nila sa atin sa dairy products at sa gatas. Number twelve tayo bilang trading partner nila, pero number four bilang bumibili ng dairy products nila, at number two bilang bumibili ng gatas sa kanila. Kaya naman ang hinihiling natin, at sila rin gusto nila na yung mga nagbebenta sa atin ng gatas dahil meron din silang sariling mga environmental problems na rin sa mas lumalawak ang pagmudmod ng pag produce ng gatas, ay yung ibang bahagi ng kanilang production process ay gagawin sa Pilipinas. Yun ang isang sinisikap natin. Malaki ang karangalan natin na binibigyan tayo ng importansya ng New Zealand. Kayo binibigyan kayo ng importansya, mahal na mahal kayo ng mga tiga New Zealand. Ang gagaling daw ninyo at sana mas marami pa raw pilipinong pumunta rito. siguro dahil na rin sa kanilang galang sa inyo talagang nakababad ng panahon sa atin ngayon sa ating pagbisita si Prime Minister Clark. Kanina, mahaba ang aming usapan sa bilateral. Pagkatapos nagkaroon ng mahabang luncheon, marami pang pinag-usapan. Ngayon pupunta kami sa Auckland pagkatapos nito, pupunta rin si Prime Minister Clark sa Auckland mamaya. Magdi-dinner na naman kaming magkasama mamaya. Bukas magkikita na naman kami at makalawa. At itong malaking karangalan ay sinabi na rin niya isang malaking importansya ng Pilipinas dito sa New Zealand ay yung kagalingan ng 20,000 Filipinos na narito. Si Prime Minister Clark ay pumunta sa Pilipinas nung isang taon. Fortieth anniversary noon ng ating relasyon sa diplomatic relations. Ngunit tinaon niya yung buwan at yung linggo kung kailan pupunta doon sa interfaith dialogue na ginanap doon sa Cebu. Ngayon naman inimbita ako dito dahil Pilipinas ang chairman ngayon ng ASEAN at secondly ginamit din natin... Pinili rin itong mga petsang ito dahil ngayon din ang interfaith dialogue ng New Zealand naman ang nagho-host. Kasi si Prime Minister Clark ay isang pangunahing nagbubuo ng interfaith dialogue sa ating rehiyon. Malaki ang kanyang papel na ginagawa para sa pag-uunawaan sa pamamagitan ng ibat-ibang mga pananampalataya, ibat-ibang mga sambayanan sa ating rehiyon. Ang pag-uusap ng ibat-ibang pananampalataya or interfaith dialogue ay importanteng bahagi ng ating ginagawa para sa Mindanao. Siguro doon sa mga medyo ilang taon nang narito ang naalala ninyo ang Mindanao ay panay kaguluhan, may separatist movement, may rebellion. Pero malugod nating tinatanggap ang papel na ginaganap ng New Zealand at iba pang kaibigan sa tulong ng economic aid at diplomatic initiatives. At doon sa Mindanao ay apat na taon nang meron tayong ceasefire. At isang dahilan dito ay masigasig ang ating interfaith dialogue. Kaya itong igaganap sa Waitangi na interfaith dialogue ay importante para sa atin, gaya ng importansya ng ating overseas Filipinos para sa atin. Ako naman ay nasisiyahan na kahit kayo ay malayo sa Pilipinas at maganda ang buhay ninyo rito sa New Zealand malakas pa rin ang inyong pakikipag-ugnay sa inyong mga pamilya at komunidada sa atin. Inaasahan ko na hindi kayo sasawa sa mainit na pagmamahal at damdamin para sa inyong pamanang Pilipino. Salamat na gusto niyong umuuwi ang mga anak ninyo para hindi makakalimutan ang kultura ng ating bansa. Talagang itong dalawampung libong daang pilipino na narito sa New Zealand ay pwedeng ipagmalaki. And your being here this afternoon is a heartwarming affirmation of the vitality and vigor of the Filipino spirit here in New Zealand. Sana tuloy-tuloy ang inyong suporta at kooperasyon. Maraming salamat at congratulations! Sa inyong tagumpay sa New Zealand. |
PGMA's
Speech during the Opening Ceremony of the 3rd Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue |
| Thank you
very much. Prime Minister Clark; our host minister of foreign affairs, Minister Peters. Thank you very much for the very wise words you said earlier; Minister Downer; our Foreign Secretary Romulo; our leaders of the Philipine Senate and Congress; Mr. Hadi, representing Indonesia; distinguished participants to this third Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue; ladies and gentlemen: We're here to celebrate interfaith dialogue. We're here to celebrate once again a future of peace, stability, understanding, embracing all the peoples of the Asia-Pacific Region. Prime Minsiter Clark reminded us of our previous Asia-Pacific interfaith dialogues. In the dialogue that began three years ago in Yogyakarta, we committed ourselves to a culture of peace. There, our governments, civil societies and communities of faith deepened their commitment to peace, security and progress, planted on the firm and fertile soil of interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Last year, it was our turn to host the dialogue in Cebu. Fifteen Asia-Pacific nations came together for this second dialogue. And now, we thank and congratulate Prime Minister Helen Clark and the government of New Zealand for so generously hosting this third summit together with Australia, Indonesia and our country. New Zealand under Helen Clark's vision -- and we heard her vision -- leads the way in regional interfaith dialogue. Prime Minister Clark is a catalyst for greater understanding among all peoples of all faiths in the region. And may I say all peoples of all beliefs. I would like to also point out that we share with Prime Minister Clark, with Minister Peters, with Minister Downer, with Indonesia, with the other democracies here in this room a keen devotion to human rights. We share your concern for putting an end to the political violence that has plagued the Philippines for generations. We have never condoned, and we condemned the killings of journalists, party-list members or activists, as we condoned the killing of any ordinary human being. We live in a vibrant democracy. This vibrant democracy has just been validated through an electoral process, we recently had in the Philippines, that is free, fair and generally reflective of the people's will. We welcome the assistance of New Zealand, as we have welcomed the assistance of Europe and the international community at large, to work with us in an open and transparent way to advance human rights in the Philippines and around the world. Our commitment to human rights is indeed a logical commitment together with our solid commitment to the goals and objectives of the Asia-Pacific Interfaith Dialogue. We are here as co-sponsor and participant to promote interfaith dialogue in education, social development and media, as we work together towards bridging bridges for a culture of peace, security and love. On education and media. Last year, our Cebu declaration on regional interfaith cooperation embodied our collective resolve to mutual understanding and tolerance for the sacred cause of peace and love. It outlined the actions to realize our collective vision, including the enrichment of education and the enlightenment of media, as pillars of a viable interfaith process. And we are happy to report that in the Philippines we did not leave the resolutions in the hall behind us. In education, we agreed to work for the inclusion of values-based interfaith education in the curriculum of our schools at all levels. And in accordance with this agreement, the Philippines has institutionalized basic Madrasah education not just in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao but also in public elementary schools in Metro Manila that have a large number of Muslim students. We enriched the studies of our students by offering Islamic values in Arabic in those particular schools in addition to the regular subjects of english, math, science and civics. Also, many of our local universities are already incorporating peace studies into their undergraduate and graduate courses. In the field of media, we have much more to do. And so we take this occasion to renew the call made in our Cebu declaration for the training of media managers, journalists and journalism students on religious and cultural diversity. And we renew the call for the review of codes of conduct and standards for the exercise of media responsibility, as well as for better dialogue between the media and the faith communities. Indeed, as minister peters told us, in a democracy there are responsibilities, and there should be codes of conduct in exercising our rights and our liberties. In interfaith dialogue on security and social development, in other words, its relevance to security and social development. Interfaith dialogue is not just an abstract theory for the Philippines rather, it's a major contributor to peace and stability in the South Philippine region of Mindanao. Prime Minister Clark mentioned Mindanao in her statement, and I'm very happy to report that there in Mindanao we have taken steps to bring interfaith forces to bear upon our peace process. A peace process that has resulted in a four-year ceasefire, and everytime there are skirmishes we have friends from the community and friends all over the world who come together to make sure that such skirmishes will not turn into a conflagration that will renew the hostilities all over again. It has also resulted not only in a four-year ceasefire but also strides in economic growth. We're able to build irrigation systems in areas that could not be penetrated by construction companies in the past because of conflict As we meet to advance understanding of our religions and our cultures, we must value the diversity that binds us. The respect of New Zealanders for their indigenous peoples -- and I'm so happy that we're doing this dialogue here in Waitangi, the symbol of New Zealand's concern for indigenous peoples -- their concern is an inspiration to us Filipinos, who take equal pride in our own native populations. The lesson of all these, the lesson of New Zealand's experience is that the rich heritage of our people must be cherished. Our faith can become a powerful force for good. Yet, we must also draw a line when religious faith becomes political extremism. Just as when love of any faith also leads to political extremism. The world and our region have tasted the bitter root of extremism masquerading as a peaceful religion. Last year in Cebu we said, that faith is the great antidote to terrorism. Indeed, in our experience in the Philippines, interfaith dialogue, economic aid and social justice together are powerful instruments in the fight against terrorism. Every new job we create amidst unemployment and poverty is one less reason for someone in poverty to slip into terrorism. These are the tools of what is now called "soft" power that form the core of the Philippine paradigm for peace in Mindanao. The use of this "soft" power we find is every bit as forceful as the "hard" power of military armaments. We are not simply addressing immediate security threats and the material needs of development. More importantly, we are seeking peace and love in the hearts of the people by bringing them closer through interfaith dialogue and cooperation which fortunately we are having with an expanding cast of international allies. We are doing this from the grassroots to the national level. And I'm glad that in our earlier discussion today with the Philippine delegation, Bishop Gutierrez talked about what our own bishops, ulamas and the pastors are doing in the grassroots. And I believe that that is part of the report that they will be sharing with the other delegates in this dialogue. We do this from the grassroots to the national level so that in the process of finding our commonalities, we will also transform conflict areas into communities of peace. We do this in the grassroots level, which is why we are very happy, that in this dialogue the Philippine delegation is made up not only of government officials and leaders of the religious communities but also members of civil society. It is because interfaith dialogue is truly an integral part of our peace process in Mindanao. And I take this opportunity to thank all our international allies -- New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, and so many other countries represented in this hall -- for helping the Philippines forge the new paradigm for peace in Mindanao. Here in Waitangi we're gathered once again to mark further progress in our blueprint for peace. Our work is crucial not only for the present where we must forthrightly fight the bigotry, intolerance and fear espoused by terrorists and extremists of every kind. We must also fight for a future free from the threat of fanaticism that robs us of our common humanity. Interfaith dialogue will gain greater importance in our common quest for global peace and security. We hope to see our Asia-Pacific region champion the culture of peace and love. Just as peace thrives not in isolation but in the company of others, so must we strive to build the necessary spiritual, moral and human infrastructure that will let the imperative of peace transcend our differences. To put that very simply, we must all be humble in the eyes of god and respect our fellow human beings. May our dialogue be fruitful. Thank you. |
PGMA's
Opening Statement during the Leaders' Press Conference |
| I'd like
to congratulate New Zealand for hosting this year's interfaith dialogue for the
Asia-Pacific and to commend the Prime Minister Clark on her leadership in promoting
interfaith dialogue to have cooperation for peace and development in the whole world. And I would like to reiterate also my thanks to Australia, to foreign minister, for what he has said about assistance that Australia have been giving in the Philippines. We are practicing interfaith dialogue at the grassroots and we have Australia to promote peace in Mindanao. And we congratulate Indonesia for the first tripartite interfaith dialogue. We miss Foreign Minister Wirajuda. Well, I'd like to say that the Foreign Minister Wirajuda has also done very much to promote peace in Mindanao. Indonesia is the chairman of the committee of the eight that monitors the compliance with our peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front, and we are very happy with their support. And I thank again foreign minister peters for the kind words that he said, the nice words that he said today. |
PGMA's
Speech during a Meeting with the Filipino Community in
Auckland, New Zealand |
| Maraming
salamat, secretary romulo sa iyong pagpapakilala sa inyong lingkod. Please sit down. Eh yung mga may upuan dahil tayo ay naka 'mix and mingle' ngayong gabi. Batiin ko lang una o ipakilala sa inyo yung ibat-ibang mga kasapi ng ating delegasyon. Narito ilang mga kasapi ng ating gabinete, nakahanap ng upuan sa harap maliban kay Secretary Romulo, si Secretary Arty Yap. ang kanyang bayaw ay member din ng Philippine Community ng Auckland dahil nag-aaral dito; at nakikita ko sa ating crowd yung ibang Cabinet member, ang trade and industry secretary, si Peter Favila na itong araw na ito yung ating mga negosyante na narito rin ngayon ay isang araw lang pag-uusap nakakuha na ng 30 million dollars sa mga kontrata for tropical fruits; nandito rin ang ating secretary of environment and natural resources, si Secretary Angie Reyes, at isa sa kanyang inaalagaang investment mula sa New Zealand ay isang minahan doon sa Nueva Vizcaya. At itong company na ito, Oceana Gold, ay meron ding mga temporary members ng Philippine community dito sa Auckland dahil nagdala sila ng mga empleyado magtre-training sa kanilang minahan dito at mga... Ayun, ayun! ang mga members ng kanilang community para makita kung ano ang ibig ng sustainable mining New Zealand style; narito rin ang ating presidential adviser, si Sonny Alvarez. Saan na siya ngayon? Yes, yes. Bakit hindi naka-akyat? He was here behind us supposed to be. kailangan nandiyan siya dahil meron siyang inaalagaan na prospective one billion-dollar investment sa reforestation, kaya dapat nandiyan siya. At meron tayong mga kasapi ng kongreso na narito, nandito yung... Naku! Hindi na nabigyan... Ayun, ang ating Deputy Speaker gikan sa Cebu, si... kaila ninyo tanan, si Congressman Raul Del Mar; and, tawagin nga natin si congressman ng Palawan para makaupo dito, maghananp nga kayo ng upuan, si Congressman Tony Alvarez; gikan sab sa Mindanao, ang congressman karon apan malakat sa iyang pwesto isip congresswoman kay mahimo na siya ang masunod na gobernador sa Davao Oriental, si Cora Malanyaon; meron tayong dalawang congresswoman mula sa Bulacan, yung isa ay si Lorna Silverio. at kagabi doon sa private dinner na binigay ni Prime Minister Helen Clark kasama ng negosyante katabi niya yung isang negosyante na may proyekto doon sa kanyang lugar doon sa angat sa kanyang distrito; narito rin yung isang congresswoman mula sa Bulacan, si Neneng Nicolas; at narito ang isa pang congresswoman mula naman doon sa Oriental Mindoro, si Girlie Villarosa; at narito ang ating governor ng Misamis Occidental -- wala siya diri --aniya, si Governor Loreto Ocampos; naku! Hindi nilagay ang pangalan kanina, mukhang wala pa kanina siguro, ang aton nga senior deputy majority floor leader sa kongreso, halin sa Iloilo province, Congressman Art Defensor; and, mula naman sa Batangas, si Congressman Dodo Mandanas; at narito pa ang atong mayor sa siyudad sa Iloilo, si Mayor Jerry Treņas. Okay, siguro nawala dahil doon sa ating crowd. At siyempre gusto kong batiin ang ating mga leader lalung-lalo na yung mga nag-organize nitong napaka mukhang successful na successful na affair dahil ang saya-saya ng inyong mga itsura ngayong hapon, gusto kong batiin si Chairperson Noblejas ng federation at saka si Sam Dignadice, ang counsel ng Auckland; at siyempre naman yung ating ambahador dito, si Ambassador Tejano at ang buong embahada na sinisikap na alagaan ang mga Pilipino at saka lumawak ang ating relasyon sa New Zealand. Karing cabalen kong kapampangan, mayap a gatpanapon. Dagidiay taga Nueva Vizcaya ken aming nga anak ti amyanan, naimbag nga malem niyo amin. Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat, mga mahal nating kababayan. Sabi ni Bert Romulo there is one word to express what is happening today, this afternoon -- heartwarming. Maraming salamat. Natutuwa kaming makasama kayo lahat dito sa Auckland dito sa New Zealand, isang napakagandang bayan at isang kaibigan ng Pilipinas. yes, kaibigan ng Pilipinas at kaibigan ng mga Pilipino dahil sa lahat na pinupuntahan ko halos lahat ng kausap ko, maging opisyal o negosyante, bukang-bibig ang ilang hanga sa komunidad ng pilipino dito sa New Zealand. Pinupugay ko kayong lahat mga Pilipinong narito. Pinupugay ko rin ang mga leader ninyo dito sa New Zealand: yung federasyon, yung ibat-ibang mga organisasyon lalo na dito sa Auckland dahil ang tagumpay ng pag-organisa nitong ating affair na ito. Ang inyong pagpapalakad nitong okasyon, kasi wala naman tayong embassy dito, wala naman tayong permanent consulate dito, kaya kayo na rin ang nag-organize nito, ito ay testigo sa mataas na kalidad ng lideratong Pilipino dito sa New Zealand at saka sa Auckland. At gaya nang sabi ko, yung paghanga ng mga taga New Zealand sa inyo, kayong lahat, hindi lang yung mga leader, tunay na magandang halimbawa ng kahanga-hangang mamamayang Pilipino. Ngunit siyempre ninanais natin na darating ang araw when going abroad for a job is a career option and not the only choice for a hardworking Filipino. Kaya ang ating mga plano sa ekonomiya ay nakatukoy na sana makaligtas na, maka-ahon na ang Pilipinas, maging malaya na sa pangangailangan na mag abroad pa upang magkaroon ng hanapbuhay. Kaya nakatutok tayo sa ekonomiya, at ginagawa natin ang lahat para ma-ipaasenso ang mga rehiyon ng ating bansa. Halimbawa nga, ang ganda ng mga investment ng mga taga New Zealand sa Pilipinas dahil kung saan- saan sila pumupunta. Meron doon sa kabundukan ng angat, sa bandang Sierra Madre ng Bulacan. Meron nanduon sa dating pinakamahirap maabot na bayan ng Nueva Vizcaya, yung Kasibu. Nung araw sabi nila ang mura-mura ng gulay sa Kasibu kasi wala namang kalsada para ilabas at ibenta yung kanilang gulay. Pero ngayon hindi lamang na meron na silang kalsada adan ngunit meron pang malaking pagkakataon na magandang hanapbuhay dahil meron silang ginto at meron silang copper doon sa liblib ng Nueva Vizcaya. Kailangan talagang imudmod natin ang kayamanan upang makahanap ng trabaho ang ating taumbayan sa sariling bayan. Yan ang ating sinisikap na gawin -- maglikha ng trabaho sa pamamagitan ng pagtukoy sa mga ilat-ilang preyoridad na mga sektor. Dahil mayaman tayo sa minahan pinapayagan natin pumunta doon sa Pilipinas yung mga kompaniya na sustainable ang kanilang mining. At dahil magaling tayo sa information technology, call center, BPO, 250,000 na ang mga Pilipino ay may trabaho doon. Pero dinig ko dito rin sa New Zealand andaming mga Pilipino na nagtratrabaho sa bpo at saka information technology, di ba daming Pilipino dito? Sa inyong mga matagal nang wala sa Pilipinas, ang ating mensahe, ang ating ulat ay nakaabot na ang ating ekonomiya sa bagong antas ng maturity at katatagan. Pinakamaganda na ang mga statistics ng ating ekonomiya sa loob ng ilang dekada. Siguro medyo malungkot kayo kasi malakas ang piso pero nakabubuti naman ito doon sa ating mga kababayan sa Pilipinas. Malakas ang stock market, mababa ang interest rate, kaya pwede humiram yung mga maliliit na negosyante, maging malalaking negosyante at magtayo o magpalawak ng kanilang trabaho. Dumadami nga ang mga investment, bumababa ang unemployment rate, at taun-taon sa nakaraang anim na taon ng ating administrasyon, every year bumababa ng one percentage point yung porsiyento ng mga mahihirap sa ating bansa. At yan naman ang isang dahilan kung bakit tayo ay narito, kami ay narito sa New Zealand. Dahil ginigitna natin sa ating mga ganansiya sa ekonomiya at pambansang seguridad ang pakikipag-ugnay sa ibang bansa. Kailangan masigasig na ituloy ng Pilipinas na tayo ay makipag-ugnay sa mundo dahil gusto natin maging moderno ang ating bansa, gusto nating lumakas ang ating seguridad. Kahapon, nagpirmahan yung ating chief ng Philippine National Police kasama ng chief naman ng national police ng New Zealand kasi tutulungan tayo ng police ng New Zealand para labanan ang mga transnational crime. at siyempre kailangan natin na makahakot ng bagong investment para makaahon ang ating mga mahihirap. Dito sa New Zealand, alam niyo, nakababad sa atin si Prime Minister Clark. Kahapon, buong umaga, nagkaroon kami ng bilateral meeting. Tapos nagbigay siya ng state luncheon in my honor. Pagkatapos pareho kaming lumipad doon sa -- ay! Dito, dito. Doon sa Wellington yun -- tapos lumipad kami sa Auckland. Kagabi, nagbigay naman siya ng private dinner kasama ang ilang negosyanteng taga New Zealand, negosyanteng Pilipino, ilan sa ating mga opisyal. Yung noong tanghali, malaking affair. Yung kagabi, isang mesa lang kami para talagang mag-usap tungkol sa mga negosyo natin at sa magagawang pagtutulungan. Kanina, kaming dalawa naman ay lumipad sa Waitangi kung saan nagkaroon ng interfaith dialogue. At pagkatapos ng waitangi interfaith dialogue opening ceremonies, nagbigay na naman siya ng luncheon para sa ating delegasyon, isang maliit na mesa rin, at pagkatapos ay sabay kaming lumipad sa Auckland. Ngayong gabi naman, ang governor general naman ang mag-eentertain sa ating delegasyon. Nagpunta kami sa Waitangi dahil yung interfaith dialogue ay importanteng bahagi na ating ginagawa para sa kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Kinsa-kinsa mga taga Mindanao diri? Daghan kaayo? Okay. At malugod nating tinatanggap ang papel na ginaganap ng New Zealand doon sa tulong ng pondo at mga inisyatibong diplomatiko. Tumutulong sila sa mga proyekto natin. Sila ay isa sa mga nag contribute sa tinatawag na Mindanao trust fund, para yung mga lugar kung saan may giyera noon ay mabigyan na kaagad ng mga proyekto para makita ng MILF na mas makikinabang sila kung sila ay papasok sa kapayapaan kaysa laban nang laban sa ating pamahalaan. Kayo naman na narito sa New Zealand, salamat kahit malayo kayo sa Pilipinas at maganda ang inyong buhay dito sa New Zealand, malakas pa rin ang inyong pag-uugnay sa inyong mga pamilya at komunidad sa ating bansa. Inaasahan natin hindi kayo magsasawa. Alam niyo... Thank you. Alam niyo, 10 percent ng ating mga Pilipino ay nasa labas ng bansa. Yung New Zealand kahit mayamang-mayaman sila, 25 percent pala ng kanilang mga mamamayan ay nasa labas din. Meron isang diperensya, kayong mga Pilipino -- ah, hindi. Unahin ko sila -- silang mga taga New Zealand kapag nagtratrabho yung mga anak nila sa ibang bansa, yung nanay at tatay na narito nagpapadala pa ng dagdag na pera sa kanila. Kayo, kayo ang nagpapadala ng pera sa ating bansa. ang inyong walang tigil na pagmamahal sa Pilipinas ay nakikita hindi lamang sa inyong remittances kung hindi na rin sa iba't-ibang gawain at proyekto ninyo. Narinig ko dito mismo sa Windgate street merong Rizal Esplanade Reserve. Wow! Dito mismo sa napakagandang siyudad. Eto ay isang testigo ng inyong kagalingan at ng respeto ng mga New Zealand sa inyong mga Pilipino. Alam niyo, ang overseas Filipinos, gaya nang sabi ko, sampung porsiyento ay nasa labas ng ating bansa -- walong milyon yon. Nung ako ay naging pangulo nung 2001, walong milyon na ang naabutan ko. Ngayon, after six years, walong milyon pa rin kasi habang may lumalabas, may umuuwi. Pero meron isang kaibahan, nung 2001 bagong pasok ko bilang pangulo, seven billion dollars ang inuuwi ng mga Pilipino. Ngayon, six years later, dumoble na, 13 billion dollars na. dumoble ang remittances ninyo, mula seven billion umabot ng 13 billion ngayon. At bakit? Ayon sa mga nagsusubaybay sa ekonomiya, ito ay dahil ang mga overseas Filipinos ay nagsisimula nang mag-invest ng kita kaysa pinapadala lang ng kailangan para suportahan ang batayang pangangailangan ng pamilya ninyo, kayo ay yung inyong nase-save, yung inyong katas ng inyong sipag, yung inyong naiimpok ay pinapadala ninyo sa pilipinas. Kaya dapat ang itawag sa inyo ay hindi na overseas Filipino workers kung hindi overseas Filipino investors. Ang isang nag-iinvest ay ginagawa ito para sa financial freedom. At ang financial freedom hindi lang ibig sabihin na may sapat para sa pinakakailangan ng inyong mga pamilya. Ang ibig sabihin ng financial freedom hindi lang sustento sa batayang pangangailangan ng pamilya kung hindi nakakaipon ng sapat na savings ginagamit ito katas ng sikap bilang solid working capital. Ginagamit para iniipon bilang puhunan sa paghahanda ng kinabukasan ninyo at kinabukasan ng inyong pamilya. Napag-alaman ko na yung mga lumalaking remittances ninyo ay ginagamit ninyo patungo sa human resource capital, pinapaaral ninyo ang inyong mga kamag-anak. Ilan pa sa inyo ay nagbibigay ng mga classroom sa inyong mga community at yung kalusugan ng inyong mga pamilya ay nag-iinvest din kayo -- health care. Napag-alaman ko rin na kayo ay namumuhunan sa real estate -- bumibili ng lupa, bumibili ng condo. In fact, alam ba ninyo na 40 percent ng ating lumalawak at nagblo-bloom na real estate market nanggagaling sa overseas Filipinos? You represent 40 percent of that. Napag-alaman ko rin na meron ding ilan sa inyo ay nag-iinvest sa ating financial and capital market. Naglalagay ng pera sa stock market o sa government bonds o sa mutual funds o pinupuhunan ninyo yung mga business ventures ng inyong mga kamag-anak. Kaya nagpapalit ang kultura ng remittances. Sana huwag kayong magsawa. At salamat na hindi kayo nagsasawa sa pagmamahal sa ating bansang Pilipinas. At kayo ay talagang pinagmamalaki natin at sana parati kayong tumutulong, at sana rin parati kayong tinutulungan ng ating embahada. palagay ko hindi niyo sila masyadong kailangan dahil maganda ang inyong palagay sa buhay, pero ganunpaman, meron kayong tahanan doon sa wellington kung kailangan ninyo ang konting tulong o konting konswelo pag kayo ay malungkot. Muli, maraming salamat sa ating mga Pilipino sa Auckland at New Zealand. Mabuhay! Mabuhay kayo lahat! Thank you for the heartwarming welcome. |
PGMA's
Statement during a State Dinner hosted by Governor General Anand Satyanand and Madame
Susan Satyanand of New Zealand |
| Thank you
very much, Excellency. Governor general satyanand and madame; other dignitaries who are here on this table. Thank you for your very warm kiwi hospitality that you have so generously accorded our delegation. Yesterday, your maori haka depict to the respect of new zealanders for your indigenous peoples. This is an inspiration for us filipinos who take equal pride in our own native populations. It's a message to all that the rich heritage of our peoples and our lands must be cherished. We're having a fruitful visit focused on broader collaboration on environmental management, human rights, indigenous peoples' welfare, governance as well as the great potential of bilateral commerce. We also came, as you have said, to celebrate interfaith dialogue in waitangi. Interfaith dialogue is a major contributor to peace and stability in the southern philippine region of mindanao. And there we extol new zealand's role in the mindanao trust fund. We're also grateful for the philippines environmental cooperation with new zealand especially in forestry. I'm glad that the commissioner of human rights is here with us tonight. I'd like to say that we share with new zealand a keen devotion to human rights. We share the concern for putting an end to the political violence that has plagued the philippines for generations. We've never condoned but we condemned the killing of journalists, party-list members, leftists, activists, as we condemn the killing of any human being. We lived in a vibrant democracy that's validated through an electoral process that's free, fair and reflective of the people's will. We welcomed the assistance of new zealand as we have welcomed europe and the international community at large to work with us in an open and transparent way to advance human rights in the philippines and around the world. As we start dinner, excellency, let me say how honored we are to be received so warmly in new zealand. As i said yesterday, even if the weather is somewhat chilling by philippine standards, the welcome is warm as the relations between our two nations. Thank you. |
PGMA's
Speech during a Meeting with the Filipino Community in
Canberra, Australia |
| Maraming
salamat, Secretary Bert Romulo sa iyong pagpapakilala sa inyong lingkod. Maraming salamat, Ambassador Ernie De Leon dahil pinagamit mo itong ating magandang embahada para makipagdaup palad sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino dito. At gusto kong ipakilala ang ating mga kasapi ng ating delegasyon mula sa Pilipinas. Narito, unahin ko yung mga Cabinet members: ang Secretary of Agriculture, si Secretary Arthy Yap. Tamang-tama yung saging na pinakita ni Ernie de Leon sa atin kasi mahal na mahal ang saging dito dahil hindi sila nagpapapasok ng saging. Pero meron akong nakitang editoryal sa isang peryodiko na sana raw lumuwang sila sa pagpasok ng saging kasi sabi ng editoryal, gusto raw nilang matikman ang saging mula sa Pilipinas. So ito ay long running saga na natin sa Australia at sisikapin na naman natin buksan ang pag-uusap tungkol doon. Narito naman ang ating Secretary of Defense, si Jun Ebdane. Oo, hindi lang siya Secretary of Defense, siya rin ang Most Worshipful Grandmaster ng mga Mason at alam ko mabuhay ang mga Mason dito sa Australia! At bakit siya narito? Dahil siya ay magpipirma ng status of Visiting Forces Agreement kasama ng Australia. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, jun, ito lang ang pangalawa nating Status of Forces Agreement. Yung isang unang-una lamang ang yung Amerika, pangalawa ang Australia. Narito rin ang Secretary of Trade and Investment, si Peter Favila. Bukod sa pag-uusap natin tungkol sa kalakalan ay marami ring mga prospect ng mamumuhunan sa Pilipinas lalung-lalo na't ngayon ay gumaganda ang ating investment climate. Alam ba ho niyo na yung Texas Instruments, yung American company ay nasa baguio dati pero maglalagay ngayon... No, nasa Baguio pa rin pero maglalagay ngayon ng one billion-dollar investment sa Clark. At para maglagay sila sa Pilipinas, tinalo natin yung ibang nanliligaw sa kanila kasama na ang Tsina doon sa nanliligaw sa kanila. Ngunit alam naman ninyo, mga taga-Perth -- salamat sa pagpunta niyo rito kahit na malayo ang pinanggalingan. Okay, yes -- na ang isang malaking pinanggagalingan ng puhunan dito ay yung mga sa minahan. At dahil nga doon, para isagot ang mga tanong ng mga mining industry dito at saka para masarado na yung mga nagdedesisyon tungkol sa maglagay ng investment sa mining, narito rin ang ating Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, si Secretary Angie Reyes, na dating boss ni Ernie De Leon. Si Ernie ay nilagay natin dito dahil sa malakas na ang ating defense cooperation at si Ernie bilang... Siya ay dating chief ng ating Philippine navy, hindi lang yun, siya rin yung nagsulat ng ating mutual logistics support agreement kasama sa Amerika. Yun ang bagong arrangement natin ngayon. Ngayon ang ating parliamentary delegation naman, legislative delegation. Palagay ko, kilalang-kilala ninyo itong aking susunod na ipapakilala. Ang ating Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations sa Senado, walang iba kung hindi si Maid Miriam ang tawag nila sa tagalog, Miriam Defensor-Santiago; doon naman sa Kongreso -- murag dunay daghan mga Cebuano Diri -- ang atong Deputy Speaker sa House of Representatives, Congressman gikan sa Cebu City, Raul del Mar; may ara man mga Ilonggo. Ang atong Senior Deputy Majority Floor leader sa House of Representatives, kasimanwa ni Miriam, si Congressman Art Defensor. Hindi lang kasimanwa, magpinsan pa nga sila; and then mula naman sa katagalugan, doon sa Batangas, ayun si Dodong Mandanas, nakita ko naroroon, Batangas City, dating gobernador ng Batangas; at katagalugan din, dalawang ating magandang kaakit-akit na Congresswoman mula sa Bulacan, si Lorna Silverio. Nasaan si Lorna? Ayun. At saka si Neneng Nicolas. Yun, magkasama parati yung dalawa; then, we have governor from Misamis Occidental, Governor Leo Ocampos; and we have the president of the city mayors of the whole Philippines, Mayor of Iloilo City, Jerry Treņas; Congressman natin naman mula sa Palawan, Tony Alvarez; uy, Palawan. Saan si Tony Alvarez? Ito naman, I don't know whether to introduce her as congresswoman or governor, kasi outgoing congresswoman. Congresswoman pa rin hanggang June 30 but after June 30 she becomes Governor of Davao Oriental, Cora Malanyaon; doon naman sa Mindoro Occidental kung saan mukhang mayroon palang malaking proyektong aust aid para sa reforestation ay ang ating congresswoman na si Congresswoman Girlie Villarosa; at marami tayong mga negosyante na narito, pati mga environmental NGOs, ayan si Narda Camacho representing the environmental NGOs. Yung mga negosyante ay darating pa sa later flight dahil ang dami-daming prospects na nakuha nila doon sa New Zealand kung saan tayo nanggaling. Kaya batiin ko ang ating mga Pilipino. Alam ko noong huling pumunta ako dito, reunion sa mga Pilipino ay doon sa Sydney, kasi nakararaming Pilipino doon sa Sydney. Yes. And I thank you for visiting me in Malacaņang. Kaya alam ko na pag ginawa natin ang ating reunion dito sa Canberra, ang laking sakripisyo ninyong lahat. Hindi lamang yung mga lumipad mula sa Perth ng limang oras, yung mga nagbiyahe pa, nagmaneho pa mula sa Sydney ng tatlong oras. Kaya salamat at kayo ay narito, mga minamahal kong kababayan. Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat. Salamat. Melbourne, how long? Eight hours and we'll be there tomorrow. We'll be there again, so we'll see each other twice. Okay, yes. Grabe kung iisipin niyo talaga, yung Victoria, kasing laki ng buong teritoryo ng Pilipinas. Kaya napakalaki talaga at yan ang isa sa mga maliliit pang state dito sa Australia kaya napakalaki talaga nitong continent ng australiang ito at ang dami niyong nanggaling kung saan-saan. Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong pagdalo. Alam kong malaking sakripisyo ito, hindi lamang doon, itong araw ay working day. So hindi lang kayo nagsakripisyong nagbiyahe, nag-absent pa kayo. Thank you very much. Yes, thank you for thinking it's worth it. Salamat din sa ating mga kabataan. Ang dami na palang mga kabataan dito sa Australia, ayun! At saka yung mga military students, salamat doon sa mga nagsalubong doon sa labas kahit na maginaw. Kung sa bagay, kayo sanay na sanay na kayo sa ginaw. Isa mang malamig na lugar ang australia, bitbit naman namin ang mainit na pagpugay sa inyo mula sa Pilipinas. Kayong lahat ay tunay na magandang halimbawa ng kahanga-hangang mamamayang Pilipino. Talagang mahal na mahal kayo ng mga Australiano at mahal na mahal din kayo ng mga kapwa Pilipino. Ngunit siyempre, our vision is for the day when going abroad for a job will be a career option, not the only choice for a hardwoking Filipino. Alam niyo doon sa New Zealand kung nasaan ako nanggaling, nagulat ako sa kanilang mga statistics. Tayo, sampung porsiyento ng ating Filipino ay nasa labas ng bansa. Yung New Zealand, ang yaman-yaman nila, 25 percent ng mga New Zealander ay nagtratrabaho sa labas. Yes. Marami ay nandito sa Australia pero career choice. Gusto natin ganun din ang Pilipino pag lumalabas, career choice hindi dahil magugutom ang pamilya niyo kung hindi kayo lalabas. Kaya yun ang ating sinisikap. Yun ang ginagawa natin, yung plano natin sa ekonomiya ay nakatukoy na tayo ay malaya, maging malaya doon sa mangangailangang mag-aabroad pa para pakainin ang ating mga mahal sa buhay. Kaya ang inyong administrasyon ay nakatutok sa ekonomiya, nakatutok din sa pagpa-asenso sa mga iba't-ibang rehiyon ng ating bansa. Para sa ganun ay dumami ang trabaho, mamudmod ang kayamanan para makahanap ng trabaho ang ating taumbayan sa ating sariling bayan. Ang pinaka-layunin ng ating administrasyon ay makalikha ng trabaho sa pamamagitan ng preyoridad ng mga sektor na pinapalakas natin para ganun ay dumami ang trabaho doon. Nakakaabot na ang ating ekonomiya sa bagong antas ng maturity at katatagan. Bakit pumupunta yung Texas Instruments halimbawa sa ating bansa kaysa pupunta sa Tsina? Yung isa rin yung Toyota naglagay din sila ng transmission factory sa Pilipinas kaysa doon sa Malaysia na nag-aalok din sa kanila. Dahil pinakamaganda na ang sukat ng ating ekonomiya sa loob ng ilang dekada. Yung ating growth rate itong taong ito, sabi nila magiging six percent. Isa lang ang Pilipinas sa konting bansa na sabi ng United Bank of Switzerland na magiging mas mataas ang growth rate ngayong taon kaysa noong nakaraang taon. Isa rin alam ko malungkot kayo dahil doon pero nakakaginhawa naman sa mga pamilya ninyo dahil naiiwasan tumaas masyado ang presyo ng bilihin -- malakas ang piso. Malakas din ang stock market. Mababa ang interest rate kaya dumadami ang investment, kaya bumababa rin ang unemployment rate. At taun-taon, yung ating poverty rate ay bumababa ng one percentage point a year in the last six years of our administration. Yun din yung isang dahilan kung bakit tayo ay narito o ako, ang inyong lingkod ay narito sa Australia. Actually, sa katotohanan, si Prime Minister Howard 2003 pa siya nagpunta sa Pilipinas sa kanyang state visit. So apat na taon na ang dumaan bago ako nakagawa ng aking return state visit pero talagang... Talaga may intensiyon akong pumunta rito kasi talagang nasa gitna ng ating mga ganansya sa ekonomiya at sa seguridad nung ating defense agreement ang pakikipag-ugnay sa ibang bansa. Kailangan masigasig na ituloy natin ang ating pakikipag-ugnay sa mundo para maging moderno ang ating bansa. Halimbawa, makakamoderno ang ating armed forces dito sa ating status of forces agreement dito sa ating armed forces dito sa Australia. At saka yung mga Australian mining companies, yung malalaki na pupunta sa Pilipinas, namo-modernize din nila yung ating mining at magiging sustainable at environment friendly. Kailangan din nating makipag-ugnay sa buong mundo para lumakas ang seguridad ng rehiyon at saka ng ating bansa. Eh dito sa Australia hindi ba kilalang-kilala ang panganib ng terorismo? Marami silang namatay doon sa bali kaya very conscious sila dito sa problema ng terorismo sa ating rehiyon. At siyempre kailangan parati makaakit ng bagong investment upang makaahon ang ating mga mahihirap. The Philippine-Australian connection is really almost 200 years old. Ewan ko kung ilang sa inyo ang alam yung kasaysayan ng ating relasyon, Pilipinas at australia. Noong 1800s, yung mga Filipino umiinom na ng Australian milk doon sa mga bote sa mga kalye ng Escolta, umiinom na sila doon. At noong panahong yun, meron namang Filipino overseas workers dito. Yung mga divers, Filipino divers. Correct, correct, the North Australia. Ang tawag, correct, "Manila men," they worked in the pearl industry in Northern Australia. At kilala rin niyo yung si Heriberto Zarcal, siya ang isang negosyanteng Pilipino. Siya ay isa doon sa pinadala ni President Aguinaldo noong siya ay naging pangulo doon sa first republic, 19th century, para makuha ang suporta ng mundo sa bagong republika. Bakit siya ang pinili? Dahil itong si Ginoong Zarcal ay bagamat siya ay taga Maynila, napanganak sa Maynila, naging successful bilang Filipino-Australian businessman. Doon siya sa thursday island doon sa Northern Australia, sa pearl industry rin. At itong buwan na ito, 115th anniversary ng pagpunta ni Zarcal dito sa Australia. Yes. Kaya mula ng matagal na pahanon, mayroon nang libu-libong ibang istorya, palagay ko ng tagumpay ng mga indibidwal at pamilyang Filipino-Australian. Binubuhay muli natin ang ating pagmamalaki sa Pilipino sa inyong mga istorya. Bawat isa sa inyo, sigurado ako ang inyong kasaysayan ay kasing-exciting noong kasaysayan ni Ginoong Zarcal. One hundred fifty thousand of you ay may kuwento ng sipag, pagmamahal, sakripisyo, pagkabayani, at ginagalang natin kayong lahat. Yung mga 150,000 na Filipino na narito ngayon, kasama kayo sa walong milyung overseas Filipinos. Noong ako'y unang naging pangulo, 2001, walong milyon na overseas Filipinos, ngayon after six years, walong milyon pa rin ang overseas Filipinos dahil habang may lumalabas, may umuuwi. Ngunit may diperensiya, noong ako'y unang naging pangulo, ang naabot kong remittances ng mga overseas Filipinos ay seven billion dollars. Ngayon nagdoble na, 13 billion dollars na. Maraming salamat. Sabi nila, ito ay dahil kayo ay nagsisimula nang mag-invest ng inyong kita sa ating bansa, at hindi lamang suporta sa pangangailangan ng pamilya ang inyong pinapadala. Lumalaki ang remittances na ginagamit patungo sa human resource capital. Pinapaaral ninyo ang inyong mga kamag-anak, nagko-contribute pa kayo ng mga classroom sa inyong mga pamayanan at nag-iinvest kayo sa real estate, bumibili kayo ng lupa, bumibili kayo ng condo. Alam ba ninyo, yung ating real estate ngayon ay booming na booming, pero kuwarenta porsiyento ng kanyang boom ay nanggagaling sa overseas Filipinos. Kaya kay laki ng inyong kontribusyon sa housing and real estate market natin ngayon sa Pilipinas. Bumubulaklak talaga ang real estate natin sa Pilipinas dahil sa overseas Filipinos. Pero sabi nila, mayron ding mga pilipino na naglalagay ng financial at capital investment, nag-iinvest sa mutual funds. May nakikilala ako mga overseas Filipino nagpu-put up ng pera sa stock market na napakalakas ngayon. At pinupuhunan din ninyo yung mga small and medium enterprises ng inyong mga kamag-anak. Kaya dapat ang tawag sa inyo ay hindi na lamang overseas Filipino workers or OFW kung hindi overseas Filipino investors o OFI. Kasi kung tutuusin natin, kung sabihin natin na six years ago, ang pinapadala niyo ay suporta, di seven billion dollars yun. Ang pinapadala niyo ngayon ay 13 billion, di yung six billion na diperensiya, yun ang investment. Ipinagmamalaki natin ang texas instruments na naglagay ng one billion, eh kayo taun-taon, six billion ang inyong ini-invest. Kaya talagang kayo ay malaking overseas Filipino investors. Binibigyan din ninyo ng economic freedom ang Pilipinas. Lumalakas ang ating piso, bumababa ang interest rate, at binibigyan din niyo ang sarili ninyo ng financial freedom. Kasi ang financial freedom hindi lang yung kaya na ng pamilya ninyo ang pinakakailangan sa buhay, kung hindi mayroon ng pondo, sapat na pondo hindi lang para isustento ang batayang pangangailangan ng pamilya kung hindi nakakaipon ng sapat na savings. Ginagamit itong inyong katas ng sipag bilang solid working capital. Ginagamit ang mga iniipon bilang puhunan sa paghahanda sa kinabukasan ninyo at ng inyong pamilya. Sana huwag kayong magsawa, kasi habang kayo ay tumutulong sa Pilipinas, tumutulong kayo sa Australia, nakakatulong kayo sa dalawang ekonomiya, nakakatulong din kayo sa magandang pagkakaugnay nitong dalawang bansang ito. Malaki ang tulong ng australia sa ating bansang Pilipinas lalung-lalo na sa kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Malaki ang kanyang mga tinutulong doon at tayo naman kung umabot ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao, mas lalong aahon pa ang ating bansang Pilipinas. Kaya habang kayo ay narito, tumutulong kayo doon sa kabila. Alam niyo yung kini-kuwento ko, yung New Zealand na marami ngang nandito, sabi nung mga taga-doon sa New Zealand, kaiba-iba ang kustombre. Yung mga kabataang nagtratrabaho dito, si mom and pop sa New Zealand ay nagpapadala pa ng allowance sa kanila. Pero kayo ang nagpapadala doon sa inyong mga magulang at ibang mga kamag-anak. Kaya ang ganda, ganda ng asal ng Pilipinas. At inaasahan ko na parati ganun ang inyong pagmamahal, kasi ganun naman parati rin ang pagmamahal ng inyong bayan sa inyong mga Pilipino dito sa Australia. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. |
PGMA's
Opening Statement during the Joint Press Conference with Prime Minister John Howard |
| Thank you
very much, Mr. Prime Minister. We're very happy to be here. Australia is a major ally and a strong economic partner of the Philippines. Our friendship has been forged on the anvil of history, from the battles of World War II and now the war against terror. We're honored to be here to forge even deeper economic, security and cultural ties that bring our nations together. Even before 9/11 and the terrible Bali bombings, the Philippines has been on the frontline fighting terrorism in Southern Philippines. We're making great strides to wipe out this scourge with the help of allies like Australia. We're vigilant to the terrorists threat. We welcome the power and resources of our allies like Australia. Our allies helped us root out and destroy these vicious killers who ply their dislocated and evil ideology on the innocent. As current chair of ASEAN, we're also deeply grateful for the leadership role that Australia plays to advance the interest of the entire region. At a time of uncertainty in the world, it's now more important than ever to build new alliances on a multilateral and bilateral basis to ensure greater political, economic and military security. And there is no more reliable friend and ally than Australia to anchor our peace and stability in the region. We're optimistic about the unity of our region and our prospects for peace, stability and economic growth. Let me take this opportunity to say a little something about the Philippines of today. The Philippines is on a roll. We have just received the report of our first quarter performance. And we're happy to say that the Philippines grew 6.9 percent in the first quarter of 2007. This is the fastest pace in almost two decades: 9.1 percent growth in services; 5.3 percent in industry; 4.2 percent in agriculture. We have also gained from the tripling of investments in economic zones and priority sectors. We will boost our economy further with 40 billion dollars investments in world-class infrastructure during the medium-term. I'd like to say to our Australian friends: we're building Asia's next success story. We invite you, our friends in Australia, to be a profitable part of it. Mr. Prime minister, if I may speak in Filipino to our countrymen watching us live both here in Australia and in the Philippines: Mga kababayan, may magandang balita. Sa unang tatlong buwan nitong taon, lumago ng 6.9 percent ang ating ekonomiya. Ito ang pinakamalakas na paglago ng ating ekonomiya sa loob ng halos dalawang dekada. Lalo pa itong lalakas dahil sa dalawang trilyong pisong imprastraktura na ating itatayo sa mga taong darating. Basta nagkakaisa tayo, sisikat ang Pilipinas at ang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang ating bayan! Thank you, Mr. Prime minister, for allowing me to speak to the Filipinos. |
PGMA's
Speech during a Luncheon hosted by Prime Minister John
Howard |
| Prime
Minister Howard; Senate President Calvert; Speaker Hawker; Mr. Rudd, leader of the
opposition; Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam; ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much for your warm welcome. We are very happy to have traveled to Australia to visit our firm friends and staunch allies. Australia is a major ally and a strong economic partner of the Philippines. And I thank you Prime Minister and members of parliament for the large increase in economic assistance to the Philippines starting this July. Our friendship, as we have heard from the previous speakers, has been forged on the anvil of history from the battles of World War II and now the war against terror. And we are deeply honored to be here to forge even deeper economic, security and cultural ties that bring our nations even closer together. Even before 9-11 and the terrible Bali bombings, the Philippines has been on the frontline of fighting terrorism in the Southern Philippines. We are making great strides to wipe out this scourge with the help of allies like Australia. On a bilateral basis, the two governments are working at every level to maximize our cooperation. This includes close exchanges on intelligence, training and equipment to improve our armed forces and peace initiatives to take away the recruiting groups of the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayaff. We believe that we must stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies like Australia who are with us everyday in the fight against terrorism and in the fight for freeing our region of mindless terrorists who spew a vile form of destruction in the name of misguided religious extremism. Thus, we have concluded today and signed a historic defense cooperation agreement between our two nations. The status of visiting forces agreement will help professionalize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, enhance the inter-operability and skills of our country's armed forces -- the two countries -- develop intelligence fusion between our militaries and strengthen our fight against terrorism. The security situation in the Philippines has improved substantially both in our fight against domestic terrorists and in our coordinated hunt for regional terrorists seeking refuge in some of our most remote islands in the south. In Mindanao, we are proving the value of a new paradigm for peace through the use of both hard and soft power. A permanent peace will bring a new era of economic development to Mindanao and also to the entire Philippines. But even now, the Philippine economy is on a roll. We have just received the report about our economy's growth in the first quarter of this year. Our economy has expanded at the rate of 6.9 percent. This is the fastest pace in over two decades: 9.1 percent growth in services; 5.3 in industry; 4.2 in agriculture. We have also gained from the tripling of investments in economic zones and priority sectors. The Philippines is a competitive location for all companies looking to establish or expand their business operations in the Asia-pacific. We, I believe at this point in time, are the best value and best place to invest in Asia. We offer a strategic location in a fast growing region. Our work force is well-educated, productive and english speaking, and you have a 150,000 of them here in Australia helping your economy as well as our economy. Prime Minister talked about the emerging middle-class that will be in the Asia-Pacific region. Our contribution to that middle-class is our eight million overseas Filipinos who send us every year now 13 billion dollars in support for their families but also in investments in real estate, in stocks, in small and medium business enterprises, and other manner of consumption that make our markets very reliable. To promote investments, we are cutting red tape so that we can simplify the requirements for investing in the Philippines. We are a good business environment getting better. Our administration's greatest achievement has been breaking the back of our lethargic economic legacy by a combination of tough fiscal measures and equally politically difficult decisions to raise more revenue in one bold legislative stroke -- and I want to thank the senator and congressmen who are here today -- we were able to stop our backsliding and move forward to drastically reduce our budget deficit and more importantly make long overdue investments in human and physical infrastructure, because we know that investors are looking at our rate of investment in vital infrastructure. Our increased investment in this area is starting to be felt through billions being invested in our roads, railways, sea ports, airports and other infrastructure. We're quickly moving toward improving the infrastructure needed to push our economy forward. These efforts are already bearing fruit. Texas Instruments of the United States announced plans to invest a billion dollars to build new facilities in our country which they chose over other locations including China. And in this great hall today, we have several Australian businessmen who have said that they are investing or have been investing also large amounts of Australian dollars in the Philippines. Continuation of our reforms will ensure we will continue to attract further investments in all our industries. A nation cannot grow if it doesn't invest. That's our focus now -- invest, invest, invest. The people deserve it. It's the only path to prosperity and out of poverty. The Philippines is in a fight to turn the economy around to lift up its poor. And we are winning. Slowly but surely. We're investing in our people and creating new hope and opportunity. Similarly, we are in a fight to turn around our sorry history of political violence and retribution that has plagued us for generations now. Like our economic turn around, we are slowly, surely and steadily breaking down the cycle of violence. Through the actions of our Melo Commission, headed by a former Supreme Court Justice, special courts, stronger witness protection measures, more money for prosecutors and investigators of left and right, we aim to break the cycle of political violence once and for all. And as we have made tough choices to turn around our economy, we will also get a handle on political killings to end them once and for all. I would like to report that at least 60 cases of unlawful killings have been brought to court or are with the prosecuting authorities. Four cases have resulted in convictions of the accused. But it must be said that the communist party of the Philippines and their armed insurgents must also put down their arms and cease their mindless murders. We welcome the help of our friends in the international community to work with us to erase this legacy of violence and violations forever. And we thank the government of Australia in their new aid program for the pPhilippines, we have a quarter of a million dollars allocated to help our human rights institutions work on the end of these political killings. Indeed, Australia has been a firm ally and a good friend, an understanding friend, somebody that helps, somebody that cooperates, somebody that works together for peace, prosperity and democracy in our region and between our two countries. So, I'm very thankful that we are here today and I believe that the Philippines and Australia can show that development and democracy should work together to lift millions out of poverty and save them from oppression. Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister. Thank you very much to the officials of Australia, and thank you very much to the people of Australia for your warm welcome and your friendship. |
PGMA's
Speech during a Dinner hosted by the Asia Society Australia-Asia
Centre and Australia Philippines Business Council |
| Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Goode, chairman. Ambassador Woolcott, thank you for your continuing interest in the Philippines; Mr. Collery; Chairman Goode; members of the Philippine delegation; officers and members of the Asia Society; members of the diplomatic corps; members of media; other special guests; ladies and gentlemen. First of all, thank you, Asia Society and thank you, Australia Philippines Business Council for organizing this wonderful dinner. I'm very happy to be here. We've travelled to Australia to visit a partner of the Philippines in expanded trade, increased security cooperation and close cultural relations. As Mr. Goode said, our economic relations are at least 200 years old. In the turn of the 19th century, in the 1800s, Australia's famous milk was already being sold in the streets of manila. Up to today, we still buy maybe half of our milk consumption from Australia. At that time also, at the turn of the 19th century, there were Filipino divers, they were called "Manila men," they were working in the pearl industry of Northern Australia. So we had overseas Filipino workers here in Australia for 200 years, and now you have a 150,000 of them contributing to your economy and our economy as well. In May 1892, 115 years ago this month, the first Filipino-Australian noted in history, a Filipino born in Manila named Heriberto Zarcal, arrived in Australia, settled in Thursday island and became a respected businessman in the pearling industry. Today, our modern day Heriberto Zarcal is Danding Dojuangco with his 1.7 billion dollars investment in the Australian food industry. So for the last 200 years, we've been together. And flashing forward today, there's a good economic story I'd like to tell you about the Philippines, not 200 years ago but the Philippines of today. About the growing strength of the Philippine economy, providing more and better opportunities for Australian companies. The Philippines is in a fight to turn around the economy to lift up its poor. It's winning. Slowly but surely, we're investing in our people and creating new hope and opportunity for the people. Our administration's greatest achievement so far I would say is that we have succeeded in breaking the back of our lethargic economic legacy. How? By combination of tough fiscal measures on the one hand and equally, politically difficult decisions to raise more revenues, more taxes in other words. In one legislative stroke -- and I thank the senator and congressmen who are here with us tonight -- we were able to stop the backsliding of our economy; we were able to move forward to drastically reduce our budget deficit; and more important now, afford to make long overdue investments in human and physical infrastructure. New revenues, better collection, a crackdown of tax cheats, prosecution of corrupt officials especially in the revenue agencies along with fiscal discipline has put the Philippines on a path to permanent economic growth and stability. As anywhere in the world including Australia, new taxes are not easy. They are not pretty, they are not politically popular but they have broken the cynical cycle of our political and economic life. Our nation's economy therefore has reached a new level of maturity with some of the strongest fundamentals in a generation -- low inflation. Lower than Australia's in fact, 2.9 percent in the Philippines compared to Australia's 3.5 percent; low interest rates; six million new jobs; poverty rate declining at the rate of one percentage point a year; strong peso; the strongest stock market in our entire history; strong growth. But we're not resting, rather forging ahead to sustain the momentum. Speaking of strong growth, the Philippines is on a roll. We just received the report last night from our economic managers that our economy in the first quarter of 2007 expanded at the rate of 6.9 percent. This is the fastest pace in almost two decades, with 9.1 percent growth in services. I'm sure Mr. Goode's bank in the Philippines can attest to that because that includes banking, retail and wholesale trade, telecommunications, our very fast growing outsourcing industry which when I started my presidency in 2001 had 2,000 workers, now there are 250,000 workers in a two billion-dollar industry. Our industry contributed to this 6.9 percent growth by growing at 5.3 percent and 4.2 percent in agriculture. And the world is taking notice. Investments in economic zones and priority sectors have tripled which was a big contribution to our 6.9 percent growth rate. The strong increase in investments was recently anchored by the announcement of Texas Instruments to invest a billion dollars to build a world class chip plant in the Philippines. What makes this investment remarkable is not only its size but the fact that we won that against every single other major location in Asia courting them based on our overall economic position including China. And this investment, this direct investment of huge amounts and of marked key names is happening across the board in a number of industries. The Philippines indeed has become a competitive location for all companies seeking to establish or expand their operations in the Asia-Pacific region. For instance, in mining, with the Philippine Supreme Court ruling, made a couples of years ago, we have opened up the Philippine mining sector so long as all investors realize that they must also be good stewards of the environment, protect local communities and be model employers. We're enthusiastic about Australian investments in mining plus combined with Australian commitment to maintaining the purity of our local community at the same time. It's no contradiction for us to agree to develop our mining industry while maintaining the integrity of our land and our communities. Economic development in the Philippines must go hand in hand with environmental stewardship, and we welcome the hand of experience with environmental laws, policies and regulations that can be shared with us by our friends here in Australia. But of course, aside from mining, there are many other areas in which Australian businessmen can see whether they can find a good place for investment or trade. We take great pride in the discipline of our administration to focus on our economy and our overall economic growth. We're proud of the fact that our external debt is being pre-paid or paying ahead of deadline. We're optimistic that we will balance the budget also two years ahead of schedule. And we are proud that we're making sure to use the gains of our economy to invest in vital social and economic needs. We're working to ensure that these will be sustained. We're committed to consolidating these gains in new revenue. As I said earlier, by making long overdue investments in human and physical infrastructure because the short answer to continuing economic growth is summed in three words -- invest, invest, invest. Not just your investments but our government investments as well in human and physical infrastructure. In other words, we are following up the pain of tax raising measures with the gain that comes from significant investment in people and projects. This is the way we can truly ensure that progress will not be reversed. This includes billions of pesos in education, health care and training. Along with billions in new bridges, roads and ports to upgrade the competitiveness of the Philippines. We know that investors are looking at our rate of investment in vital infrastructure. In accordance with our Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan, we will boost our economy further with 40 billion dollars of investment in world class infrastructure in the medium-term. About half of that will come from the national government, another one-fourth will come from government corporations and financial institutions, and the other one-fourth we hope will be in private-public sector partnership on such modes as build-operate-and-transfer. In the years ahead, we expect that this will in turn attract even more investments and create more jobs, ultimately improving the lives of our people. What we have learned or what we have conveyed in the difficult tax measures that we had to pass before we could start feeling the gain of infrastructure is that we will not sacrifice long-term gains for short- term political expediency. Earlier this month, Filipinos demonstrated our political stability through elections. The message of those elections was that the Philippine economy is stable and strong. The path we have set for economic reforms will not be upset by partisan elections. Politics will not undo our economic progress. We will continue on the path we have set for putting people ahead of politics by focusing relentlessly on the economy. Our administration will focus on pro-growth, pro-trade and pro-investment strategies that help lift up our people from poverty and help the Philippines stay in contention as a real investment destination. I have three more years to go in my term and we will keep reform going in the remainder of this term. We're determined to move all parties in a unified way to stay on the path of economic reform and fiscal discipline. In sum, we're the best value in Asia, the best place to invest in Asia. We offer a strategic location in a fast growing region. And you, the Australians know that our workforce is well-educated, productive and english-speaking because you have a 150,000 of them amongst you and very well appreciated by your community. But furthermore, we are cutting red tape to simplify the requirements for investing in the Philippines. In looking at my profile of Australian businesses, I've come across a number of companies that tried to enter the Philippines and decided not to push through with it because they encountered red tape. Fortunately, for me, that was before my administration. And what I've done is to seek out those specific companies to tell them that that is a thing of the past. One of our major reforms indeed is to simplify requirements for businesses to set up. You will continue to see the Philippines assume a place at the table alongside the other tigers of Asia. We are a good business environment getting even better. I am optimistic about the unity of our region, our Asia-Pacific region, and our prospects for peace, stability and economic growth. And in this dynamic region, we, the Philippines are building Asia's next success story. And we invite you, our friends in Australia, to be a profitable part of that story. Thank you. |
