President Rodrigo Roa Duterte proved that he is not just a crime and corruption buster but also an economic ambassador during the recently-concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cambodia.
This was how Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez described President Duterte, recounting how the latter conducted himself before the forum in Phnom Penh, which was attended by hundreds of top CEOs and executives and other world leaders.
“You know, every time we are out and we usually accompany the President, he is the one that’s really becoming the some kind of an economic ambassador as well,” Lopez said in a press briefing led by Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Friday, May 12, with other Cabinet secretaries at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here.
“He is not only known for the anti-drug campaign, addressing criminality and all that. That’s very well recognized. And the international community also understands that those are the basic foundation if we are to develop a very robust economy,” Lopez said.
Lopez said President Duterte ensures that in all of his trips abroad, and not only at the WEF, the President makes the pitch for the Philippines by underscoring significant developments in the country especially in trade and investment, industrial and infrastructure development, and economic growth.
“Kasi ang bottom line kay President, gusto niya talaga magkaroon ng trabaho, magkaroon ng negosyo ‘yung mga kababayan natin. Talagang ma-empower sila, lalo na ‘yung mga nasa baba na lahat pwedeng umasenso, lahat pwedeng magtagumpay,” he said.
Lopez meanwhile said other ASEAN leaders are “in full support” of the illegal drugs campaign of the President considering the harmful effects of illegal drugs in the society, adding that such problem impedes nation development.
“Let’s all realize, kung hindi iso-solve ni Presidente Duterte ang drug problem, sino magso-solve? I’m very passionate on this kasi itong kailangan ng Pilipinas. I-solve talaga itong ills of society. And this is the root cause that’s being solved,” he said.
“That’s why any effort to counter that is really counterproductive to me, na sinisira ‘yung momentum to solve that problem…Hanggang may problema ‘yan, eh talagang meron pa rin tayong magiging kahirapan and lack of development,” he added.
Trust in Duterte’s leadership
While in Cambodia, President Duterte had a bilateral meeting with Air Asia’s CEO Tony Fernandes.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade revealed that Fernandes has pledged to expand its air coverage in the Philippines as an expression of his trust and confidence in the leadership of Duterte.
“This is a specific, very clear indication on the acceptability of the President’s leadership insofar as his economic program is concerned,” Tugade said.
“Tama ho, nagpapalakpakan, nagtatayuan but beyond the standing ovation and the applause is a commitment to invest in real term in our country. That to me is a glaring manifestation of the very well accepted economic program exemplified and perorated upon by the President. In fact, lagi niya hong sinasabi, ‘Know me as a peace and order man; know me as a corruption buster; know me as a fighter of drug users and drug habits. Why am I doing this? Because I’m setting the environment for economic development,” he added.
‘Zero to 10-point agenda’ For his part, Socio Economic Planning and NEDA Secretary Ernesto Pernia underscored the importance of peace and order in order for the economy to thrive.
“It’s not a 10-point agenda. To remember this, it’s a zero to 10-point agenda, socio-economic agenda and the zero is precisely peace and order,” he said.
“Fighting criminality, fighting corruption, fighting smuggling and peace and order. And that’s because zero is the origin of the 1 to 10 points socio-economic agenda. It’s the bedrock that has to be addressed and this is what the President had been harping on during the campaign as well as now,” he added.
“He’s addressing that main bedrock of the 10 points economic agenda so that the 10 points economic agenda can materialize. Without this bedrock, then it will be difficult for the economy to thrive and flourish and for the country to prosper,” he further said.
Zero tolerance for corruption and fast implementation of infra projects
As President Duterte and his economic managers presented the administration’s economic agenda dubbed “DuterteNomics” at WEF, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar assured that the budget would be spend prudently and the infrastructure projects would be implemented at the soonest possible time.
“We all want to finish this in the short to medium term so para guminhawa kaagad ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“We are ready to implement these projects and make sure that they are implemented at the fastest possible time and this is the commitment of us and the President that we will move and we will move quickly,” he added.
Villar likewise assured that he will not tolerate corruption in his agency.
“Sinasabi po namin sa baba na either you step up or you step down. This is the time that we have to work together and culturally, we also want to… In our department, we wanna make sure that everyone’s on board sa programa ni Presidente and if you’re not, then I think you have to step aside for someone else who’s on board with this program,” Villar said.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Vince Dizon meanwhile belied criticisms that DuterteNomics is just a way to divert the public’s attention away from the administration’s peace and order programs.
“They seem to be saying that this DuterteNomics, this Build, Build, Build is an aside to the peace and order platform of the President. In fact, some might be even insinuated that it’s a way for us to divert attention. This is absolutely false ‘no, absolutely false,” Dizon said.
He also assured that the government will be very transparent about the projects under the Build, Build, Build or the administration’s infrastructure program’s, noting the Build, Build, Build’s website.
“And I think this is a perfect way to hold the government to account na talagang seseryosohin at talagang hahabulin natin ang paggawa nitong mga kinakailangang mga project na ito,” Dizon added.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi meanwhile said that in the WEF, he encouraged investors to put up more power plants in the country, which will also contribute to economic development.
“We highlighted also that the Philippines in the energy sector, we are open for business,” he said.
Before proceeding to Beijing, China for the Belt and Road Forum, President Duterte will meet with the Filipino community in Hong Kong on Saturday, May 13. (PND/PNA)
The youth is a key sector in development, said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, May 11, as he called on leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to empower the youth to be part of development efforts.
“The youth is certainly a key sector that we must invest in,” said Duterte at an economic forum in Cambodia.
Duterte also urged the ASEAN leaders not to ignore the scourge of illegal drugs on the youth.
“We cannot turn a blind eye on the scourge of illegal drugs that threatens our youth and the future of our societies,” said the President of the Philippines, the current chairman of ASEAN.
In Phnom Penh, in his speech at the Opening Plenary: ASEAN at 50 Years Young during the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN 2017, Duterte said the youth is certainly a key sector that we must invest in.
“The ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2016-2020 encourages youth entrepreneurship, employment and employability, awareness, volunteerism, and resilience” he said in his remarks at The Ballroom of Sokha Hotel.
The Chief Executive, who is also the chairman of the ASEAN this year, said the plan deserves full support as ASEAN youth are “among the best and most creative, intelligent and innovative in the world.”
“We must empower them to be the best version of themselves,” the President said.
According to Duterte, a committed stand should be taken to dismantle and destroy the illegal drugs trade apparatus.
He further noted that the commitment to realize a drug-free ASEAN community should be reaffirmed.
In his speech, President Duterte said ASEAN is becoming a significant global player.
“It plays a key role in promoting peace and stability in the region. And it is an emerging economic powerhouse,” he said.
The President, however, noted that while the ASEAN’s achievement is celebrated, it should be recognized as well that more needs to be done for our people.
According to Duterte, among the challenges faced by the ten-member bloc are: integration and connectivity efforts have to be ramp up; technological changes impact on the work force as well as trade and investment, and capital flows; transnational crime threaten to undermine economic progress; and, development gaps threaten to hold us back from achieving the inclusive growth for our peoples.
He said the Philippines as this year’s ASEAN Chair resolves to establish meaningful partnerships for positive change as we engage the larger world.
“The Philippines will do its part. ASEAN Member States will do their part as well. Join us and together let us be partners in an enduring engagement to bring positive change for our world and our region,” he said.
During the opening plenary, the Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, officially declared the opening of the regional forum.
Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, and Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyễn Xuân Phúc also delivered their remarks during the session.
The theme for this WEF, which is hosted by Cambodia for the first time, is: “Youth, Technology, and Growth: Securing ASEAN’s Digital and Demographic Dividends.” (PND/PNA)
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Cabinet presented before the international media the economic and development blueprint of the Philippines, aptly called “DuterteNomics,” on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN 2017 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital on Thursday, May 11.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, who opened the event said, ““Our milestones are ambitious. We will spend 5 to 7% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) every year on infrastructure.”
The Duterte administration plans to invest USD 160 billion in the country’s physical infrastructure under the program “Build-Build-Build Infrastructure Plan.
Included in the Build-Build-Build Infrastructure Plan are a 650-km network of new or improved roads from La Union in the north to Camarines Sur in the south, the country’s first subway system running in Metro Manila, rail projects running to the north and south of Manila and the Mindanao Railway.
Other projects include the transformation of Clark Airport into the country’s second premier gateway and the overall upgrading of the country’s entire airport system.
“Dutertenomics underlies our 6-year development plan to achieve high middle income status by the time our President leaves office within a generation. We aim to eliminate poverty and rank among the thirty largest economies in the world,” Andanar said.
This is similarly echoed by Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez who pointed out that the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is not just about drugs, but it is about making business and bringing change and prosperity for all, as envisioned by this presentation, which gathered some of the President’s cabinet officials.
Dutertenomics is a platform with accompanying ways of doing things, added Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, embodied by zero tolerance against corruption under the principle of accountability and transparency in a safe and secure environment. It is creating a scenario of return of investments, Tugade said.
Joining Andanar, Lopez and Tugade in the Dutertenomics Presentation were Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Secretary Alfonso Cusi of the Department of Energy (DOE), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Ernesto Pernia, President and CEO Vivencio Dizon of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.(PND/PNA)
President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Phnom Penh Wednesday, May 10, at 5:49 p.m. local time (6:49 in Manila) for the World Economic Forum (WEF) for ASEAN in Cambodia’s capital.
He is joined by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who he named as incoming Foreign Secretary shortly before leaving for Cambodia.
The delegation also includes Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
On Thursday, Duterte will join the prime ministers of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam at the forum to share the highlights of the recently concluded 30th ASEAN Summit in Manila.
The President is also scheduled to present the Philippine government’s Build, Build, Build program, otherwise known as DuterteNomics, to international investors and media.
Duterte will address international investors to drum up support for his ambitious infrastructure plan which government officials said will usher in “the golden age of infrastructure” in the Philippines.
The President will also deliver a message to the youth of ASEAN.
After the WEF event, Duterte will fly to Hong Kong where he will meet the Filipino community.
From Hong Kong, the President will proceed to Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Duterte is also expected to meet with Mongolian Prime Minister Jargaltulgyn Erdenebat at the sidelines of the event. (PNA)
Trust in Duterte’s leadership
The youth is a key sector in development, said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, May 11, as he called on leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to empower the youth to be part of development efforts.
THE DURIAN POST 