While in Singapore, the President will meet a select group of international political and business leaders attending the WEF on East Asia, a regional version of the Swiss-based WEF, to shape the region’s industry, economic and political agenda.

From Singapore, the President will proceed to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, June 26 for a one-day state visit.

Malacañang listed key objectives of the President’s state visit to Singapore as follows:

• To reciprocate the state visit of President S.R. Nathan to the Philippines on Feb. 13-16, 2007.

• To give further impetus to accelerating economic relations between the two countries, especially with a view to expanding Singapore’s investments in the Philippines by highlighting the good news about the economy.

• To allow coordination and consultation between the outgoing and incoming chairs of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The President chairs the 10-member regional grouping this year.

• To touch base with Singapore’s Filipino community.

The industry agenda of the June 24-25 forum will focus on a new generation of East Asian multinationals and the impact of cross-border in investments. The economic agenda will examine the durability of East Asia’s growth in the face of emerging global risks.

On the occasion of Asean’s 40^th anniversary, the political agenda will center on the design of its evolving regional architecture and its relationship with strategic partners such as India, Russia and the United States.

It will be recalled that President Arroyo attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 25-28 this year, where she cited the emergence of the Asean community as a formidable bloc as it celebrates 40 years of existence.

The presidential entourage is scheduled to depart from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via Philippine Airlines (PAL) commercial flight PR 501 Saturday afternoon.

From Singapore’s Changi International Airport, the President will proceed to Fullerton Hotel where she will address major movers and shakers in the business world.

After her speech, she will leave Fullerton Hotel for Shangri-La Hotel where SICPA Holdings executive co-chairman Maurice Amon will call on her. This will be followed by cocktails at the state room foyer of the hotel.

The highlight of the evening is a dinner at the State Room with co-chairs of WEF on East Asia.

A call on the President by Renault Nissan chief executive officer Carlos Ghosn has also been set at Valley Wing of Shangri-La.

The next day (Sunday, June 24), the President will deliver her WEF opening speech.

Later in the afternoon, she will attend a Eucharistic celebration and meet with members of Singapore’s Filipino community at the Suntec Convention Hall. This will be followed by a reception hosted by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Istana.

After her private dinner at the Fullerton Hotel, a Durian Party will be hosted in her honor at the same hotel by the Singaporean government.

The President’s state visit starts Monday (June 25) with welcome ceremonies and signing of visitor’s book at the Istana, followed by her meeting with Singapore President S. R. Nathan.

The day will also be highlighted by her meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Presidential Suite of Fullerton Hotel and lunch with Loong at Straits Room 4/F of the same hotel.

Later in the afternoon, after the call of Maersk officials, the President will deliver a speech at the coffee party of the Philippines-Singapore Business Council.

A state dinner hosted by Singapore President S.R. Nathan at the Banquet Hall of the Istana concludes the President’s state visit to Singapore.

A few months ago, we announced that Texas Instruments would make a billion-dollar investment in the Philippines. Recently, Tokyo Electric and Marubeni declared that they are also making a four-billion dollar investment, making it the largest Japanese investment in Philippine history. These big investments signify that the Philippines is back and open for business. Our democracy is a proven fact; our economic growth is a work in progress. On both counts, the Filipino has shown the ability to stay the course by working hard and believing in the country’s future.

On this trip to Singapore, we will be meeting with President Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. We will personally thank them for Singapore’s hospitality to more than a hundred thousand overseas Filipino workers. We shall also meet business and financial leaders from around the region to share the Philippine story and assure them that our stronger peso, stable financial markets, and vibrant democracy make us the best value in Asia.

We will bear this story of hope and optimism with us as we join a select group of global leaders at the World Economic Forum on East Asia. This Forum will tackle the region’s industry, economic and political agendas. The industry agenda will focus on a new generation of East Asian multinationals and the impact of cross-border investments, while the economic agenda will examine the durability of East Asia’s growth in the face of emerging global risks.

In both agendas, the voice of the Philippines shall be heard not as a passive bystander but as a fierce and relentless competitor in the global and regional markets, with clear competitive advantages in the IT/BPO sector, in tourism, and human resource development.

For the ASEAN’s 40th anniversary, the political agenda will center on its evolving regional architecture and relationships with strategic partners such as India, Russia, and the United States.

We shall also have our usual interaction with members of the Filipino community. They will learn first-hand about the legacy that my administration intends to build and offer at the altar of history.

From Singapore, we will proceed to Equatorial Guinea.

Friendship between the two countries grew with the state visit to the Philippines of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in May 2006.   We shall engage Equatorial Guinea bilaterally and multilaterally through mutual support of each other’s initiatives in the international community. Our countries have a shared agenda of defeating poverty through the New Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership (NAASP) and the UN.

Equatorial Guinea hosts some 2,500 overseas Filipino workers stationed in its oil fields and construction sites as well as other workplaces. This will be a good occasion to visit them and ensure that they are treated well by their employers.

The President is accompanied by a lean official delegation led by House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Administrator Marianito Roque of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and International Board of Advisors Executive Director Roberto Romulo as well as a 24-member business delegation.

From the airport, the President, who was welcomed by Singaporean Minister of State, Finance and Transportation Lim Hwee Hua, was immediately whisked to the Fullerton Hotel where she is billeted.

After a few minutes’ rest, the President met with Maurice Amon, chairman of SICPA Holdings, at Suite 565 Valley Wing, Shangri-La Hotel.

SICPA Holdings is a leading worldwide provider of security inks and systems. It has been active in the Philippines for the past 28 years, providing inks, technology and knowhow to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

After her brief meeting with Amon, the President attended a dinner with the co-chairs of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia 2007 at the State Room of the Shangri-La Hotel where she delivered a speech.

WEF is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, it is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

This year’s WEF co-chairs include Carlos Ghosn, president and chief executive officer of Renault, France, and president and chief executive officer of Nissan, Japan; E. Neville Isdell, chairman and chief executive officer of the Coca-Cola Company, USA; Jim Goodnight, chief executive officer of SAS Institute, USA; K.V. Kamath, managing director and chief executive officer, ICICI Bank Ltd. of India; and James T. Riady, chief executive officer of Lippo Group of Companies.

The President capped her first day activities here by meeting with Ghosn, who called on her at Suite 656 Valley Wing of the Shangri-La Hotel.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance was signed on March 27, 1999 to become a unique group of two global companies united for performance through a coherent common strategy goals. It ranks among the world’s leading four automakers.

On Sunday, June 24, the President will deliver her speech during the opening ceremonies of the two-day (June 24-25) WEF on East Asia which has for its theme, "The Leadership Imperative for an Asian Century."

After addressing the WEF’s opening rites, the President will attend a Eucharistic celebration and meet with the Filipino community at the Suntec Convention Center here.

Suntec Singapore, which is situated in the Central Business District of Singapore, is a world-renowned, international venue that has the perfect location for meetings, conventions and exhibitions.

Later in the evening, the President will attend a reception hosted by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana.

On Monday, June 25, the President will start her one-day state visit to Singapore with welcome ceremonies befitting a head of state at the Istana grounds. This will be followed by the traditional signing of the Visitor’s Book and a meeting with Singaporean President S.R. Nathan.

Istana is the official residence and office of the President of Singapore.

President Arroyo will likewise meet with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Presidential Suite of the Fullerton Hotel. She will have another meeting with the Singaporean leader over lunch at Fullerton Hotel’s Strait Room.

After the call of Maersk officials at around mid-afternoon, the President will deliver a speech before businessmen at the coffee party of the Philipines-Singapore Business Council.

A state dinner hosted by President Nathan at the Banquet Hall of the Istana will conclude the President’s state visit in Singapore.

Bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea are expected to be boosted with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s state visit to that West African nation on Tuesday.

The President proceeds to the Guinean capital of Malabo from Singapore where she addressed the opening ceremonies Sunday of the two-day World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia 2007 and made a one-day state visit Monday.

Her state visit to the oil-rich Equatorial Guinea is upon the invitation of President Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo who made a four-day state visit to the Philippines in May 2006.

The President and her delegation are scheduled to leave Singapore’s Changi International Airport early Tuesday morning on board a chartered Philippine Airlines (PAL) plane. They are expected to arrive at the Malabo International Airport at 3 p.m. (Manila time)

In a statement released by Malacañang prior to her departure for Singapore Saturday afternoon, the President noted that relations between the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea grew with the state visit to the Philippines of President Mbasogo last year.

"We shall engage Equatorial Guinea bilaterally and multilaterally through mutual support of each other’s initiatives in the international community. Our countries have a shared agenda of defeating poverty through the New Asia-Africa Startegic Partnership (NAASP) and the United Nations," she said.

She will be the first President of the Philippines to visit Equatorial Guinea.

Among the highlights of the President’s visit are her speech at the People’s Republic Chamber, a Leaders’ Meeting with President Mbasogo, signing of a joint communiqué, and tour of the Campo Alba Oil Field Complex.

After the two leaders’ meeting, the President will be conferred the National Order of the Independence by the Equatorial Guinean government.

The Chief Executive will also have a meeting with the Filipino community there and visit the National Bank of Equatorial Guinea before flying back to Manila at 7 p.m. (3 a.m., Wednesday in Manila).

Equatorial Guinea, which gained independence from Spain in 1968, hosts some 2,500 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stationed mostly in that country’s oil fields and construction sites. The Philippines recognized the African country on Nov. 28, 1968.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Middle East and African Affairs, the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria has administrative jurisdiction over Equatorial Guinea.

On the other hand, the Guinean Embassy in China has administrative jurisdiction over the Philippines.

The Philippines and Equatorial Guinea have at least four existing bilateral agreements signed in Manila in May 2006. These are:

a) General Agreement on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

b) Agreement on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments.

c) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Metropolitan Insurance Co. and Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and

d) MOU between the University of Perpetual Help System and the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

In 1995, massive reserves of petroleum were discovered in Equatorial Guinea, and shortly thereafter, significant reserves of natural gas were also found in the country.

SINGAPORE (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo received today a warm welcome from Singapore President Sellapan Rama Nathan as she began her one-day State Visit here.

The President arrived at the Istana, the official residence of the Singaporean President, at 10:35 a.m. from Fullerton Hotel where she is billeted.

She was accompanied by House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Administrator Marianito Roque of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Belen Anota and Senior Adviser for International Competitiveness Roberto Romulo.

The official ceremony for the visiting head of state held at the Istana grounds included the playing of the national anthems of both the Philippines and Singapore and the inspection by the President of the Singapore Guard of Honor.

After the playing of the national anthems of both countries, the two leaders headed for the Istana Main Building as the military band played the traditional General Salute.

At the Istana Main Entrance, the President signed the Presidential Visitor’s Book, then proceeded with her host to the Reception Room, where the Singaporean leader introduced to his Philippine counterpart the members of his Cabinet.

After the presentation, the two leaders had a one-on-one meeting at the West Drawing Room of the Istana.

From her meeting with President Nathan, President Arroyo returned to the Fullerton Hotel for a luncheon meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Straits Room.

Later in the afternoon, the Chief Executive will hold a brief meeting with Maersk officials led by its Chairman of the Board Morten Engelstof.

Also today, the President will address the Philippines-Singapore Business Council at the Straits Room also in Fullerton Hotel.

SINGAPORE (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured Sunday the 120,000-strong Filipino community here that the tough fiscal reforms her government has initiated are meant to keep the economic momentum going "with the hope that someday, working abroad would be a matter of a choice and not a necessity. "

In a speech during her meeting with the local Filipino community at the Suntec Convention Center here, the President noted that her administration’s focus on the economy, fiscal discipline, a balanced budget and the need for long overdue human and physical infrastructure improvements have helped round out the economic gains.

"Our efforts are paying off," she stressed in the vernacular. "You must understand that the strong peso helps check inflation and the global rise in the prices of oil, and other basic commodities abroad."

Because of the strong peso, the President said interest rates have gone down including that of Pag-IBIG Fund, allowing overseas Filipino workers to liberally loan money for housing and other needs.

This, she added, has also enticed investors, including OFWs, to invest in the country and create more jobs for Filipinos.

The President expressed recognition to the contribution of the Filipino migrant workers, noting their sacrifice and dedication to their work, family and the nation.

"Overseas Filipino workers are honored by the government and the people, your sacrifice and dedication to your work, your family and your nation. We welcome your contribution," she said.

The President pointed out that six million jobs have been created in the last six years and by continuing down this path "it will increasingly be keeping the best and brightest in the Philippines, closer to friends and families, helping to build the communities and provide the next generation of leadership."

She said the government is doing its best to improve the OFWs condition by eliminating irregularities in the documentation and escort system in the airport where the Bureau of Immigration is implementing new systems to avoid pre-identification of the immigration officers and there could be random rotation of these officers in all main points of exit.

Relatively, the President said, the government will establish computerized shared government information system in order to easily identify the present and previous destinations of every Filipino.

She advised all Filipinos based in Singapore without sufficient documents to proceed and coordinate with the Philippine embassy here to facilitate the validity of their stay.

The President said that she had tasked the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to create a group that would plan for the establishment of pension fund for the OFWs and to look for other concerns.

She said she had also tasked Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri to find ways of easing up the burdens of the OFWs from the effects of the strong peso.

Fr. Angel Luciano of the St. Michael parish celebrated the Eucharistic mass prior to the program

In her speech before the officers and members of the Philippines-Singapore Business Council (PSBC) at the Straits Room of the Fullerton Hotel here, the President stressed that the Philippines is now "on a path to permanent economic growth and stability."

"We’re working to ensure that this will be sustained. How? The short answer to continuing the economic growth is summed in three words: invest, invest, invest," the Chief Executive said.

The President, who flew to Singapore on Saturday to attend the June 24-25 World Economic Forum on East Asia 2007 and for a one-day state visit to Singapore on Monday, explained that the single biggest act that led to the surge in the economy was the passage by Congress of the Value-Added Tax Law.

"In one bold stroke, the Value-Added Tax raised enormous amount of new revenue" that led to strengthen the country’s economy, she said.

The President said her government is following up "the pain of tax raising measures with the gain that comes from significant investments in people and projects," adding, "that way, we will truly ensure that the progress cannot be reversed."

She added that the administration is committed to consolidating the gains in new revenue by making investments in human capital and physical infrastructure, and these include billions of pesos in education, healthcare and training along with billions of pesos in new bridges, roads and ports to upgrade the competitiveness of the Philippines.

According to the President, the Philippines has become an increasingly competitive location for manufacturing, services and high skill jobs along with the booming call center business.

"We are certainly a leader in the outsourcing space, but we cannot underestimate the contribution of other high growth sectors of our economy, for instance, manufacturing, technology, mining, energy, tourism and infrastructure," she said.

The President cited the reforms initiated by her administration that are succeeding in attracting more foreign investments, saying that these reforms will ensure that these industries grow as drivers of the economy.

"The decisions of Texas Instruments, Hanjin, Marubeni and other world-famous companies to invest in the Philippines are a big validation that our strategy is working," she said.

The President also cited other positive factors that led to the country’s economic surge such as the stronger peso, the buoyant stock market that has reached all-time highs, the creation of six million jobs in the last six years, the lowest unemployment rate, and the reduced poverty rate, which is the lowest as well.

"We believe the Philippines offers one of the best values in Asia for investors," she declared.

In her speech, the President also said it is essential to bring the benefits of the country’s macroeconomic gains to the people.

In connection with this, the President said she has initiated an investment strategy focused on four main initiatives, namely:

In a state dinner hosted by Singapore President S.R. Nathan in her honor at the Banquet Hall in Istana, official residence of the Singaporean leader, President Arroyo noted how Singapore has benefited from world-class Filipino technical, professional and management as well as care-giving skills

"Singapore has 13,000 of the Philippines’ information technology (IT) professionals, 7,000 of them are nurses and other healthcare providers, 6,000 are engineers and 5,000 architects," she pointed out.

"As an investment destination, we are glad to be back in Singapore radar screen. Singapore businesses have growing investments in Philippine BPO facilities," she added.

The President expressed elation over some Singaporean firms like Ascendas Net Quad and Asscot that have moved forward on property investments in the Philippines.

She said she is looking forward to Singaporean investment in tourism and feels gratified that a number of Singaporean firms have already built or still negotiating for the construction of tourism facilities in the Philippines.

The Chief Executive also welcomed the growing budget-airline links between the two countries like Cebu Pacific, Jet Star and Tiger Airways.

"May I ask all of you to join me in a toast to the good health and continued success of his Excellency President S. R. Nathan and to the further expansion and growth of the Philippines-Singapore relations," she beamed in her toast to Nathan.

"We remain committed to continue seizing every opportunity to deepen our engagement and to further build on our dynamic and multi-faceted partnership," she added.

The President bared that in her talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Shien Loong, they both agreed to start new air talks in order to increase travel between Singapore and the Philippines.

Philippines-Singapore relations go a long way since the Philippines opened a consulate in the city state in 1966, the year after it achieved its independence. Full diplomatic relations were established in August 1969 with the upgrade of the consulate to an embassy.

The state dinner wound up President Arroyo’s one-day state visit here as she left early Tuesday for the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in Western Africa.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said in an interview that the President’s State Visit here was very important considering the close ties between the two countries.

"This is an important visit because Singapore and the Philippines are very close. As you can see, there is the Philippines-Singapore Business Council but also there are a lot of investments by Singaporean businessmen in the Philippines, there is a lot of tie-up between the two countries," Romulo said.

The chartered Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight bearing the President and her lean delegation that includes House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, and Philippine Ambassador Masaranga Umpa to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, arrived at the Malabo International Airport at 7 a.m. (Malabo time, 3 p.m. in Manila).

The presidential party was met at the airport by Equatorial Guinean officials led by Prime Minister Ricardo Mangue Obama Nfubea and other ministers.

After a brief rest at the Hotel Sofitel, the President proceeded to the Bata International Airport for the official welcome ceremonies for her led by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the Africa’s Palace in Bata District, the seat of government of this oil-rich West African nation.

Shortly after arrival at the Central Palace, the President offered flowers at the Fallen for Freedom Memorial here.

President Arroyo had a meeting with her Guinean counterpart at the Africa’s Palace following her speech at the opening session of the Equatorial Guinea People’s Republic Chamber.

The two leaders’ meeting was followed with the conferment on President Arroyo of the National Order of the Independence, the highest honor accorded by the Guinean government to a visiting head of state.

Before flying back to Manila Wednesday morning, President Arroyo was scheduled to witness the signing of a joint communiqué between the two countries, and also tour the Campo Alba Oil Field Complex, meet with the Filipino community here, and visit the National Bank of Equatorial Guinea.

BATA, Equatorial Guinea – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cited Tuesday the world-class Filipino workers here for their contribution to the development and progress of this Catholic nation in Africa.

The President made the statement when she addressed the Camara de Representantes del Pueblo, the counterpart of the Philippine House of Representatives, at noon yesterday (7 p.m. Manila time) at the People’s Representative Chamber here. She was the first Philippine President to address the chamber.

Among those present were Guinean House Speaker Salomon Nguema Owono, Philippine House of Representatives Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Equatorial Guinean ministers, and members of the diplomatic corps.

"We are proud of the contribution of Filipino workers to the development of this country, particularly the 2,500 Filipino professionals employed in the banking, finance and oil sectors of Equatorial Guinea," the President, who was much applauded, said.

The President said reciprocating the visit of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to the Philippines last year would further open and explore new areas of cooperation and opportunities between the two countries.

The President said Equatorial Guinea has expressed interest in acquiring technical know-how in agriculture, fishing, and finance sectors, while the Philippines is keen on the possibility of getting oil concessions from this country.

Although far from each other, the President said the legislative bodies of the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea would work together to close the gap between Asia and Africa as they share a common legacy and culture, being both the only Hispanic nations in Asia and Africa.

The President said the Asia-Africa Summit held in Indonesia in 2005 strengthened bilateral and multilateral ties when the leaders signed a Declaration on the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership.

Before her speech, the President witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on parliamentary cooperation between Speaker De Venecia and his counterpart.

President Arroyo and her lean delegation arrived in the Equatorial Guinean capital of Malabo at 7 a.m. Tuesday (Malabo time, 3 p.m. in Manila) after a 12-hour flight from Singapore, where she earlier made a one-day state visit Monday.

While in Singapore, the President, who is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), also addressed the opening ceremonies of the June 24-25 World Economic Forum on East Asia 2007 held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore.

DISCURSO ANTE LA CAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES DEL PUEBLO

Su Excelencia Salomon Nguema Owono

Distinguidos miembros de la Camara de Representantes del Pueblo

Colleagues in the Philippine delegation,

Señoras y señores,

Buenos dias.

Muchas gracias a la Camara de Representantes del Pueblo de Guinea Ecuatorial por esta sesion especial en mi honor.

La legislatura es la voz del pueblo, en Africa asi mismo en Asia. We are proud to say that in Asia, the Philippine Congress has been a beacon of freedom for one hundred years now.

Our two countries share a legacy and a similar culture though we are located far away from each other, you in the western edge of Africa and we in the eastern edge of Asia, and the color of our skin is different from each other. Equatorial Guinea is the only hispanic country in Africa and the Philippines is the only hispanic country in Asia.

At the Asia-Africa Summit held in Bandung, Indonesia in April 2005, the leaders of Asian and African countries signed a Declaration on the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership, which identified concrete measures for partnership. Asimismo, los lederes trataron de fortalecer los lazos tanto multilaterales como bilaterales.

Por eso nos alegriamos much cuando el Presidente Obiang realiz una visita de estado en Filipinas en Mayo del año pasado. Se fue el para realizar los lazos bilaterales entre Filipinas y Guinea Ecuatorial, y explorar las maneras para la cooperacion y una mayor interaccion entre los pueblos de los dos pases.

Exploramos las nuevas areas de cooperacion y hablamos de las oportunidades que cada pais ofrece.

Durante su visita, el Presidente Obiang expres interes en las oportunidades para la formacion y un mayor conocimiento tecnico, en particular en los sectores agricola, pesquero, financiero, mientras que nosotros por nuestra parte expresamos interes en las concesiones en el petroleo.

Nosotros presenciamos la firma del Acuerdo General en la Cooperacion Economica, Cultura, Ciencia y Tecnologia, y un Acuerdo sobre la Promocion y Protecion Reciproca de Inversiones - los dos primeros acuerdos bilaterales entre Filipinas y Guinea Ecuatorial.

Agredecemos la oportunidad de reunirse de Nuevo con el Presidente Obiang para renovar las relaciones bilaterales entre Filipinas y Guinea Ecuatorial.

Esta es mi primera visita de estado a un pais Africano desde que asumi la presidencia en 2001.

He venido a Guinea Ecuatorial para fortalecer aun mas los lazos entre nuestros dos pases y continuar las iniciativas que nuestros pases han empezado durante la visita a Filipinas de su Presidente el año pasado.

Nuestra visita de estado aqui es una buena ocasion para fomentar estas formas de cooperacion y fortalecer aun mas los lazos bilaterales y, basandonos en nuestros lazos historicos, a un mayor desarrollo y progreso.

We are proud of the contribution of Filipino workers to the development of this country, particularly the 2,500 Filipino professionals employed in the banking, finance and oil sectors of Equatorial Guinea.

Estamos muy dispuestos a ayudar a Guinea Ecuatorial en el desarrollo de su capacitacion humana y la infraestructura.

El Gobierno Filipino esta dispuesto a forjar colaboraciones con Guinea Ecuatorial.

We reiterate the Philippines' readiness to enter into arrangements for joint ventures in petroleum upstream activities on the basis of equitable sharing and mutual benefit.

(President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s speech before the Filipino Community in Equatorial Guinea during her June 26, 2007 State Visit to that West African nation)

Mga mahal kong kababayan, maraming salamat sa mainit na pagsalubong sa inyong lingkod.

I have come here to build on our commitment to enhance the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea.

President Obiang undertook a state visit to the Philippines in May last year to enhance Philippine-Equatorial Guinea bilateral ties, seek avenues for cooperation and greater interaction between the two countries' peoples.

Given our shared history and common past, dahil kapwa tayong dumaan sa pamamahala ng Espana, Equatoguineans and Filipinos can learn from each others' experiences and build on these for greater peace and prosperity.

We agreed that it would be of strategic importance for the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea to strengthen ties and increase cooperation in all forms, despite the geographical distance between our two countries.   All of this is for the benefit of our people, including you, those of you who live and work here.

We are proud of the contribution of Filipino workers to the development of this country, particularly the 2,500 Filipinos employed in the banking, finance and oil sectors of Equatorial Guinea.

Sinisikap nating lalo pang mapabuti ang inyong kalagayan.

Pinararangalan ng pamahalaan at taumbayan ang mga Pilipinong manggagawa sa ibayong dagat sa inyong sakripisyo at malasakit sa inyong trabaho, inyong pamilya at inyong bansa.  Tinatanggap nang buong loob ang inyong kontribusyon.  Nguni't karangalan din nating sabihin na ang mga ganansya sa ekonomiya na nakikita natin ngayon sa Pilipinas ay inihahanda ang araw kung kailan hindi na kailangang mag-abroad pa ang mga Pilipino para sa trabaho, and the day when overseas work is just another option and not the only choice you have to earn a living.

Nasa landas ng permanenteng pagsulong at katatagan ng ekonomiya ang Pilipinas. 

Ang pagpasa ng ating value added tax ang siyang pinakamalaking kilos na naghatid ng pag-angat ng ating ekonomiya.    Sa isang matapang na kilos, nakaangat ito ng napakalaking kita ng bansa.  Nagpadala rin siya ng di- mapag-kakamaliang senyas na seryoso tayo tungkol sa pagsulong ng ekonomiya.   Nguni't hindi lamang iyon.  Tumutulong ito na mabuo ang mga ganansya ng ating ekonomiya ng buo nating pagtukoy sa ekonomiya, sa disiplina ng kaban ng bansa, sa pagbalanse ng budget at sa pangangailangan ng napakatagal nang dapat ginawang pag-ibayo ng human at physical infrastructure. Nagbubunga ang ating mga pagsisikap.

Bumubuhos ang investments, pinakamataas sa buong kasaysayan ang ating stock market. Nakalikha tayo ng anim na milyong bagong trabaho sa nakaraang anim na taon.

Pinakamababa ang ating unemployment rate sa loob ng isang henerasyon.  Pinakamababa rin ang ating poverty rate. 

Nakakahalata ang mundo: Isa sa mga best values sa Asia ang Pilipinas para sa mga Pilipino at dahuyang namumuhunan.

Naka-angkla ang pag-angat ng mga pamumuhunan sa pag-ulat ng Texas Instruments na ito ay mamumuhunan ng isang bilyong dolyar upang magtayo ng electronic chip plant sa Pilipinas.

Namumuhunan rin ang Hanjin ng Korea ng $1.65 billion upang magtayo sa Pilipinas ng pang-apat na pinakamalaking shipyard sa buong mundo.   Noong isang linggo, bumili ang Marubeni at Tokyo Electric ng mga power plant sa Pilipinas sa halagang $3.4 billion at magdadagdag pa ng half a billion dollars.

Ito ay nangyayari sa iba't ibang industriya.   Nagtatrabaho tayo upang masostento ito. Tumutulong ang ating mga ambisyosong reporma na mabuwag na iyong offshore cycle.        Sa pagtutuloy sa landas na ito, we will increasingly be keeping our best and brightest right in the Philippines, higit na malapit sa mga kaibigan at mga pamilya, tumutulong sa pagtayo ng ating mga pamayanan, at binibigay ang susunod na henerasyon ng liderato. 

Desidido tayong ibuo ang mga ganansya ng mga bagong kita ng pamahalaan sa matagal nang dapat ginawang pamumuhunan sa human at physical infrastructure. Kasama dito ang bilyon-bilyon piso para sa edukasyon, kalinga sa kalusugan at training kasama ng bilyun-bilyon sa mga bagong tulay, kalsada at pantalan upang umangat ang kakayahang makipag- kumpetensya ang Pilipinas.

Ipinagmamalaki natin ang disiplina ng ating administrasyong tukuyin ang ekonomiya at ang ating pangkalahatang kalusugan sa pangkabuhayan.  Ipinagmamalaki natin na binabayaran natin ang ating mga utang kahit na hindi pa nagkokobra ang nagpautang sa atin. Malaki ang ating pag-asa na mababalanse natin ang budget sa 2008. Sinisigurado nating gamitin ang mga ganansya upang mamuhunan sa mga napaka-importanteng social and economic needs. Hindi natin isasakripisyo ang pangmatagalang biyaya para sa pansamantalang political expendiency.

Ipinakita ng nakaraang halalan ang buhay na buhay na system ng demokrasya ng bansa.  Pinayagang sumali ang lahat na may iba-ibang paniniwala nguni't nagkakaisa sa mga parehong aspirasyon ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran para sa buong bansa. Tagumpay siya para sa reporma sa ekonomiya, katatagan ng pulitika at kapayapaan at katiwasayan. 

Inaasahan natin na magtatrabaho ang Senado at Kamara ng Pilipinas kasama nating siguraduhing isosostento natin ang ating mga biyaya sa ekonomiya.  Nakalingon tayo sa makabuluhang pag-uusap at pagtutulungan sa ating mga gumagawa ng mga patakarang masiguradong tuloy tayong sumulong sa reporma sa ekonomiya.

We have turned the corner on our economy.

Mayroon nang mga kapansin-pansin na tagumpay.   Nguni't di-hamak na may higit pang magagawa at gagawin. 

Sa unang pagkakataon sa isang henerasyon, binibigyan tayo ng kakayahan ng ating mga biyaya sa ekonomiya at kaban ng bayang gumawa ng malalakas na pamumuhunan sa ating bayan at ating taumbayan. Patungo doon, naglikha tayo ng estratehiyang pamumuhunang nakatukoy sa apat na pinaka-inisyatibo: 1) pag-ibayuhin ang ating imprastraktura upang lumikha ng kapaligiran kung saan may kumpyansa ang mga negosyong mag-expand at mag-employ ng higit pang tao, dahil kahulugan ng higit na trabaho ay bawas sa kahirapan; 2) pag-ibayuhin ang social services gaya ng health insurance subsidies para sa mga dukhang pamilya at nutrition programs para sa mga mag-aaral at kanilang mga pamilya;  3) pagpapalakas ng suporta sa edukasyon sa ating pagsisikap na bawasan ang kahirapan sa pamamagitan ng pamumuhunan sa mas mabuting school buildings,   mga bagong libro at teaching materials, at training programs para sa mga guro at school administrators; at 4) pagputol ng red tape at pagpapatuloy na tanggalin ang katiwalian sa sistema. 

Ito ang mga paraan upang mai-ahon ang mga mahihirap.  Ginagawa natin ito sa unang pagkakataon sa isang henerasyon.

Kaakibat kayo at ang buong pamilyang Pilipino, maisusulong natin ang ating layunin.

Together, we will push forward and fulfill our common dreams of peace and prosperity.

Thus declared visiting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her toast reply during the official lunch tendered Tuesday in her honor by Republic of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the Reception Hall of the Africa’s Palace here.

"It is time to move our relations forward from colonization to cooperation," the President said in the Spanish dialect.

She noted that the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea share a common history and culture, with both countries discovered by Portuguese explorers and later colonized by the Spaniards.

According to the President, there are many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries despite the Philippines being located in East Asia and Equatorial Guinea on Western Africa.

"Our two countries share a legacy and a similar culture though we are located far away from each other – you in the western edge of Africa and we in the eastern edge of East Asia…Equatorial Guinea is the only Hispanic country in Africa and the Philippines is the only Hispanic country in Asia," the President said.

She said Equatorial Guinea is rich in natural resources while the Philippines is rich in skills and talents as exemplified by the more than 2,500 Filipinos working at the oil, banking, and construction sectors here.

The President added that the Filipino people are also experts in services, telecommunications, construction, mining, agriculture, fisheries, and water distribution.

In his toast, President Obiang acknowledged these, saying his country looks forward to further cooperation with the Philippines in the fields of technology, trade and commerce.

After the state lunch, the President witnessed the signing of a Joint Communique to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries at the Bata International Airport, after which she departed to meet with the Filipino community in the Guinean capital of Malabo.

Earlier in the day, the President had a meeting with her Equatorial Guinean counterpart at the Africa’s Palace.

In a speech before some 400 Filipino migrant workers at the mess hall of Bechtel International Incorporated, one of the companies based inside the Campo Alba oil field complex here, the President praised the OFWs for their contribution to the development of this tiny West African state.

"Kayo ang pinakamagandang advertisement ng Pilipinas dito sa mayamang bansa na ito," the President intoned to the applause of the gallery.

Upon arriving earlier from the mainland city of Bata, the President visited the National Bank of Equatorial Guinea and the viewing deck of oil companies located inside the Campo Alba where more than 2,500 skilled Filipino workers are based.

Since OFWs started arriving here in 2000, the President pointed out that company executives and even Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo have nothing but praise for the trustworthy and hardworking Filipino workers who contribute to the development of this gas- and oil-rich nation.

The President stressed that the Philippine government and the whole country take pride in this and acknowledge the sacrifices of OFWs by implementing the reforms that would attract more investments.

She said that taxes and other revenues from economic reforms are now being used in the long overdue investments in infrastructure and education, among others, to attract more investments and create more jobs so that Filipinos would no longer work and sacrifice abroad.