VP
NOLI calls on Pinoys in China to support RP development efforts
08 June 2006
(Shanghai)
Vice President Noli De Castro called on all Filipinos in China to support the country’s bid to
end
poverty in his address during the National Day reception dinner at the
JC
Mandarin Hotel in Shanghai
yesterday, commemorating the declaration of Philippine Independence.
Citing recent gains
resulting from the government’s reform
program such as increased revenues from the expanded value-added tax
and
prudent government spending, a more dynamic stock market, an
“under-control”
inflation and positive outlook of international rating agencies, the
Vice
President said that the country’s macroeconomic figures “have never
been this
good since the Asian financial crisis.”
“Yet the biggest
challenge remains to be poverty,” he
admitted.
De Castro said that the
benefits of development “must be
felt by our people.”
“This means more roads,
bridges, schools, hospitals, houses,
transportation facilities, jobs, basic services and many more things
that
citizens expect from their government,” he added.
He assured the Filipino
community that the government is
working on these areas, with the support of neighbors like China.
“I call on all of you, my
countrymen, to link arms with us
so that we can attain our destiny—a progressive and peaceful Philippines,”
he said.
De Castro also attended a
dinner in Beijing
on June 6 hosted by Philippine Ambassador Sonia C. Brady, in which he
spoke to
Filipino businessmen, professionals and students currently based in the
China.
“I urge you to continue
working hard not just for your own
advancement but also for our country’s honor and pride,” he told the
Filipino
community.
He said that while some
“lingering problems” hamper efforts
to go full-blast on the growth agenda, he sees these as “signs of a
working
democracy.”
“I am confident that our
people will continue to build on
our successes in the years to come. And I hope that you will join us in
building a stronger and better Philippines,”
he added.
Ref no. VPMEDIA 06-061