‘Filams force for development’ - GMA

July 30, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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ambassadors-tour-poto.jpgMANILA = President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo July 14 profusely thanked Filipino Americans and Filipino Canadians for remitting “the bulk of the record-setting 16 billion dollars in 2007″ and thanked them for aiding the victims of typhoon Frank that devastated the Visayas during her trip to the US.
In welcoming the participants of the 4th annual Ambassadors/Consuls Tours which included Filipino Americans from the greater Washington D.C. area in Malacanang, the President praised them for their contributions to the development of the country.
The Filipinos in the American continent have become a positive force for Philippine development, the President said. “The four million-strong in the U.S. now and half a million-strong in Canada are an important partner of Government in ensuring that the Philippines remains firmly on the path of progress,” Arroyo added. “You have fueled the growth of the Philippine economy,” she said, adding that because of remittances GNP growth has been boosted from 5.2 percent to 7 percent.”
“Thank you very much for that,” said Arroyo who also thanked them for their investments in small and medium enterprises which have fanned the flames of entrepreneurship among your siblings, children, nieces and nephews. Your investments in real estate have been instrumental in renewing the real estate market.”
The President suggested that because of the growing number of participants, the tour should probably be increased to twice a year.
Aware that some of the participants would go to Panay, the hardest hit region by typhoon Frank last month, Arroyo said that the government has released 1.7 billion pesos for relief, recovery and rehabilitation.
“But I take this opportunity to thank our Filipinos in the U.S. and Canada because you have been so generously sending over support for our calamity victims. Maraming salamat,” she added.
Calling the visitors a “crucial part of Team Philippines,” the President urged them to “to continue championing Philippine initiatives aimed at lasting peace and development.”
She said the Philippines was taking greater control of its own destiny
by continuing to build bridges and neighbors, and strengthening ties with allies around the world, especially America.
In the face of the rapid rise in food and fuel prices around the world, the President said the Philippines is taking greater control of its own destiny and becoming more self-reliant and self-sufficient.
Talking about the rice shortage, she assured them that the Philippines’ subsidized rice is cheaper in price than the subsidized rice in Indonesia and Malaysia. She said that because we have prepared for this “we have adequate supplies of rice today, and we have a solid plan to reach self-sufficiency in the very near future.”
Turning to the typhoon victims, “the Department of Social Welfare and Development has a cash-for-work program. This is part of the 1.7 billion pesos
released for relief, recovery and rehabilitation from typhoon Frank. But
I take this opportunity to thank our Filipinos in the U.S. and Canada
because you have been so generously sending over support for our
calamity victims.”.
She acknowledged the role of the US in development saying that “whether it is disaster response or building up tourism or building up primary exports or building up BPO, we acknowledge the role that the private investment, both domestic and foreign, especially American makes to our development. Filipino and
foreign businessmen and especially Fil-Ams and Fil-Canadians are an
important part of the Philippine economic success story.”
The President asked the participants that when they return home, “we hope that you experienced first-hand that the Philippines is truly what the credit rating agencies and the Competitiveness Yearbook say. And we count on you to spread the good news about the Philippines to your loved ones and our other kababayans and friends in the United States.”


Posted by News Team | Filed Under Philippine News 

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