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'Philippines is open for business'
Published: September 24, 2010 | Author: Elton Lugay
Aquino's Day 4 in New York
NEW YORK – "The Philippines is open for business under a new
management," President Benigno Aquino III declared September 23
before members of the Council on Foreign Relations.
He announced his government was also able to raise $1 billion through
the sale of a peso- denominated global bonds. He said the bonds
generated "high investor interest" from across the globe, including the
United States.
He said he would use the funds to try to improve quality of life for
Filipinos. One in three Filipinos is considered poor, and the government
said earlier this month that it is now in serious trouble of missing key
"millennium development goals" set in a UN summit in 2000, including
halving poverty.
GLOBAL DEBUT
In his global debut, Aquino said his country has high aspirations in
foreign relations.
"We believe that in this increasingly globalized and interdependent world,
national goals and objectives are served by partnerships and
collaboration with friends abroad," he said on his first foreign visit as
chief executive. "Our engagements with the rest of the world will always
be at the service of our aspiration to build a vibrant nation."
In the morning, Aquino keynoted the conference The Philippines:
Creating Opportunities Through Effective Governance, sponsored by
Citibank.
With him were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and DTI Secretary
Gregory Domingo facilitating the economic briefing.
Later in the morning, he met with top officials of private corporations
such as Coach, Luen Thai Holdings Ltd., Sutherland Global Services,
IBM, GE Health and Century Properties, Headstrong Inc, SPi Global and
later signed a MOUs by officials of the various companies.
JP Morgan Chase and Company will also have their chance to meet
with Aquino later in the day.
In the evening, his activities included the signing of the $400-million
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact agreement at the
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and a town hall meeting with the FilAm community
at Baruch Community College. Ambassador Willy Gaa, Consul General in
New York Cecilia Rebong, and community leader Loida Lewis will
facilitate the event.
MEDAL FOR DEMOCRACY
On September 22, Aquino was conferred the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Medal by his mother's school, the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the
Bronx. The president is being honored for his "commitment to
democracy, advocacy to the poor, opposing corruption, and promoting
peaceful change in the Philippines." "
I am humbled by what this medal represents: your solidarity with my
people. You stood with us in dark days. You stand with us now, in
brighter days: The greatest period of optimism my people have seen,
since the fall of Ferdinand Marcos," Aquino said.
There was a meeting with the legendary former U.S. Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger; a meeting with President Barack Obama is still to be
announced.
Aquino's determination to fight poverty, promote economic growth and
uphold good governance received support from World Bank President
Robert B. Zoellick.
Zoellick who met with Aquino at the Sofitel Hotel September 22, said:
"The Philippines has made a commendable commitment to expanding a
modern social protection system, which not only protects the poor, but
also encourages investments in health and education. Similar programs
have made a real impact on achieving the MDGs in countries around the
world."
HIGHLIGHT OF TRIP
Aquino arrived in the U.S. via San Francisco September 20. After an
airport layover, he and party proceeded to New York where he is
scheduled to address the 65th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
on Friday September 24, considered the highlight of his U.S. trip.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, said leaders of several
countries, including China, want to meet with Aquino and "cement their
relations with the Philippines."
"There are invitations to him everywhere. But like he said, in accordance
with tradition he will visit the Association of Southeast Asian nations
first, which is in Hanoi for the regional Asean summit," Romulo said.
Aquino's official delegation is composed of 55 government officials and
employees. Thirty-four businessmen comprise his private sector
delegation.
Aquino also met with Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet at the UN
headquarters.
Aquino is expected to participate actively in the discussion of vital
global, regional and national concerns at the UNGA, said a Philippine
Embassy statement.
Aquino will be coordinator for the 2nd Asean-U.S. Leaders Meeting in
New York. The Philippines currently serves as Country Coordinator for
Asean-U.S. Dialogue for the period 2009-2012.
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Libran
Cabactulan said the UNGA is "most timely and opportune," particularly in
the context of a globalized world where "the concerns of nations have
become even more intertwined and the solutions thereto require
increasingly concerted and unified action."
Other topics in the agenda include a review of UN peacekeeping
operations, UN efficiency and the Middle East security situation, all
issues in which the Philippines has a vital stake in.
"The impact of this new reality cannot be overstated for the Philippines
whose estimated 10 million nationals are beyond our nation's borders,"
added Cabactulan in a statement.
The Philippines, a founding member of the United Nations, has more
than 1,000 peacekeepers in eight of 16 UN missions throughout the
world. A founding member of the UN, the Philippines has likewise
supported efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN
and its offices.
BACK TO WEST COAST
On September 24, Aquino and party will fly to the West Coast prior to
their return to the Philippines.
He will return to San Francisco and visit San Jose, California from
September 24 to 26.
In San Francisco, he will attend a September 25 roundtable discussion
with prominent Filipino Americans in the fields of science, technology
and engineering. At the Gala Dinner of the Philippine Development Forum
(formerly known as the Ayala Foundation- USA), Aquino will urge the
FilAm community to demonstrate a "new People Power that unleashes
their spirit of volunteerism for the greater good of the Filipino nation,"
said a statement.
His visit to the U.S. will culminate with a community mass on September
26 at the Basilica Parish Church of Mission Dolores at 3321 Sixth Street,
San Francisco.
In San Jose, more meetings with CEOs and key executives of major
U.S. corporations are in his calendar.
Also in New York is Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo and her husband
Mike Arroyo. She is scheduled to attend the 6th Clinton Global Initiative
at the Sheraton New York on Sept. 20 to 23. The meeting of world
leaders is usually held on the eve of the UNGA. – With GMANews,
AFP
Aquino's Day 4 in New York
NEW YORK – "The Philippines is open for business under a new
management," President Benigno Aquino III declared September 23
before members of the Council on Foreign Relations.
He announced his government was also able to raise $1 billion through
the sale of a peso- denominated global bonds. He said the bonds
generated "high investor interest" from across the globe, including the
United States.
He said he would use the funds to try to improve quality of life for
Filipinos. One in three Filipinos is considered poor, and the government
said earlier this month that it is now in serious trouble of missing key
"millennium development goals" set in a UN summit in 2000, including
halving poverty.
GLOBAL DEBUT
In his global debut, Aquino said his country has high aspirations in
foreign relations.
"We believe that in this increasingly globalized and interdependent world,
national goals and objectives are served by partnerships and
collaboration with friends abroad," he said on his first foreign visit as
chief executive. "Our engagements with the rest of the world will always
be at the service of our aspiration to build a vibrant nation."
In the morning, Aquino keynoted the conference The Philippines:
Creating Opportunities Through Effective Governance, sponsored by
Citibank.
With him were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and DTI Secretary
Gregory Domingo facilitating the economic briefing.
Later in the morning, he met with top officials of private corporations
such as Coach, Luen Thai Holdings Ltd., Sutherland Global Services,
IBM, GE Health and Century Properties, Headstrong Inc, SPi Global and
later signed a MOUs by officials of the various companies.
JP Morgan Chase and Company will also have their chance to meet
with Aquino later in the day.
In the evening, his activities included the signing of the $400-million
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact agreement at the
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and a town hall meeting with the FilAm community
at Baruch Community College. Ambassador Willy Gaa, Consul General in
New York Cecilia Rebong, and community leader Loida Lewis will
facilitate the event.
MEDAL FOR DEMOCRACY
On September 22, Aquino was conferred the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Medal by his mother's school, the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the
Bronx. The president is being honored for his "commitment to
democracy, advocacy to the poor, opposing corruption, and promoting
peaceful change in the Philippines." "
I am humbled by what this medal represents: your solidarity with my
people. You stood with us in dark days. You stand with us now, in
brighter days: The greatest period of optimism my people have seen,
since the fall of Ferdinand Marcos," Aquino said.
There was a meeting with the legendary former U.S. Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger; a meeting with President Barack Obama is still to be
announced.
Aquino's determination to fight poverty, promote economic growth and
uphold good governance received support from World Bank President
Robert B. Zoellick.
Zoellick who met with Aquino at the Sofitel Hotel September 22, said:
"The Philippines has made a commendable commitment to expanding a
modern social protection system, which not only protects the poor, but
also encourages investments in health and education. Similar programs
have made a real impact on achieving the MDGs in countries around the
world."
HIGHLIGHT OF TRIP
Aquino arrived in the U.S. via San Francisco September 20. After an
airport layover, he and party proceeded to New York where he is
scheduled to address the 65th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
on Friday September 24, considered the highlight of his U.S. trip.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, said leaders of several
countries, including China, want to meet with Aquino and "cement their
relations with the Philippines."
"There are invitations to him everywhere. But like he said, in accordance
with tradition he will visit the Association of Southeast Asian nations
first, which is in Hanoi for the regional Asean summit," Romulo said.
Aquino's official delegation is composed of 55 government officials and
employees. Thirty-four businessmen comprise his private sector
delegation.
Aquino also met with Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet at the UN
headquarters.
Aquino is expected to participate actively in the discussion of vital
global, regional and national concerns at the UNGA, said a Philippine
Embassy statement.
Aquino will be coordinator for the 2nd Asean-U.S. Leaders Meeting in
New York. The Philippines currently serves as Country Coordinator for
Asean-U.S. Dialogue for the period 2009-2012.
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Libran
Cabactulan said the UNGA is "most timely and opportune," particularly in
the context of a globalized world where "the concerns of nations have
become even more intertwined and the solutions thereto require
increasingly concerted and unified action."
Other topics in the agenda include a review of UN peacekeeping
operations, UN efficiency and the Middle East security situation, all
issues in which the Philippines has a vital stake in.
"The impact of this new reality cannot be overstated for the Philippines
whose estimated 10 million nationals are beyond our nation's borders,"
added Cabactulan in a statement.
The Philippines, a founding member of the United Nations, has more
than 1,000 peacekeepers in eight of 16 UN missions throughout the
world. A founding member of the UN, the Philippines has likewise
supported efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN
and its offices.
BACK TO WEST COAST
On September 24, Aquino and party will fly to the West Coast prior to
their return to the Philippines.
He will return to San Francisco and visit San Jose, California from
September 24 to 26.
In San Francisco, he will attend a September 25 roundtable discussion
with prominent Filipino Americans in the fields of science, technology
and engineering. At the Gala Dinner of the Philippine Development Forum
(formerly known as the Ayala Foundation- USA), Aquino will urge the
FilAm community to demonstrate a "new People Power that unleashes
their spirit of volunteerism for the greater good of the Filipino nation,"
said a statement.
His visit to the U.S. will culminate with a community mass on September
26 at the Basilica Parish Church of Mission Dolores at 3321 Sixth Street,
San Francisco.
In San Jose, more meetings with CEOs and key executives of major
U.S. corporations are in his calendar.
Also in New York is Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo and her husband
Mike Arroyo. She is scheduled to attend the 6th Clinton Global Initiative
at the Sheraton New York on Sept. 20 to 23. The meeting of world
leaders is usually held on the eve of the UNGA. – With GMANews,
AFP
