PGMA's Remarks during the Dinner Reception for the Participants of the 6th Asia-Pacific Mining Conference and Exhibition |
Rizal Hall, Malacaņang (13 October 2005) |
| Thank you very much, Secretary
Defensor. First of all, I'd like to congratulate all of you and to welcome all of you, and to thank you for choosing the Philippines for your meeting. Secondly, I'd like to greet Philip Romualdez and congratulate him for his reelection as president of the Asean Federation of the Chamber of Mines. Congratulations, Philip! I'd like to thank the members of the diplomatic corps who are here tonight, as well as our various government officials, and also the important leaders and movers and shakers of our business community. I'm glad you're all here tonight because it shows that you all recognize that mining is the next wave of prosperity for the Philippines coming up after information technology which has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last four years. I hope that mining will also grow by leaps and bounds in the same percentage terms that our I.T. industry has been growing like double every year. The debate on whether mining is a boon or a bane to a developing economy has long been resolved. Mining countries fare better than other countries in their respective regions, provided there is institutional stability and good economic management. The challenge clearly lies in transforming our mineral endowments into economic assets that will help liberate our people from the bondage of persistent poverty. I won't give another long speech -- you've had speeches for the last four days -- except to share with you that I hope we will have four to six billion dollars in mining investments before the end of my term. And I hope they will come from some of you gentlemen and ladies who are here tonight. Two days ago, I signed executive order 469 creating the minerals development council whose responsibility shall be to advance the sustainable and responsible development of our mineral resources. And I hope that with this executive order, indeed, you will all find the Philippines a good place to do mining business in. Let's all move forward in promoting the minerals industry towards growth and development -- conscious and sensitive to environmental concerns, and pro-actively institutionalizing mechanisms to ensure the equitable sharing of benefits from our rich mineral resources. Once again, to all of you, welcome! Mabuhay! Bon a'petit! |