PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III’s STATEMENT
DURING THE 39th PHILIPPINE BUSINESS CONFERENCE AND EXPO
Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel
One Rizal Park, City of Manila
October 23, 2013
10232013B
Good morning.
First of all, let me apologize I am disrupting your schedule.
Yung I’m scheduled to speak before you tomorrow but unfortunately there is an
issue that I have to address in Bohol. As you know, a lot of our countrymen are
still, shall I say, unsettled because the aftershocks will be continuing for about
two to three weeks.
Yesterday, I received parang text messages from one of the residents in an area
near the epicenter and they fear that there are impending dangers still lurking.
So, tonight in solidarity with them, this afternoon I will be going to Bohol. I will
stay overnight in probably the most hard hit area and to tell them to read more
stat PHIVOLCS and the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau have been stating that
the major danger has already lapsed or has already passed. And I believe it is
my duty to be with them at this point in time because the unnecessary anxiety
is creating far more problems for the community that I think as President I
should be at the rescue.
Now I will also be looking into the efficiency of government’s relief efforts at this
point in time and also probably tell them already there is also the initial audits
on the infrastructure that would be replaced wanting for the same, and also
what can be done for the cultural and historical places that were also affected.
Now, unfortunately, this concern and the continuing anxiety of our
countrymen in Bohol is I think a very high priority at this point in time. And I
came over and I’d like to thank the leadership of the Philippine Business
Conference for giving me this opportunity to apologize in person as tomorrow I
will not be able to be before you. I hope you understand and I beg your
patience and understanding for the same. Perhaps, I can do better next year
and hopefully we will not be visited by such disasters next year.
All the goods in front were seen to really show the market also that robustness
of our economy despite global economic conditions and with your continued
participation and efforts we can only see going from high to high.
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I thank you on behalf of our countrymen. I wish you success in all of your
endeavours and as always we pledge government support for all of the
worthwhile and noble intentions to the full uplifting a lot of our countrymen.
Again, my apologies. I was really be made very very much aware that there is
still continuing anxiety and, perhaps, decreasing anxiety in certain sectors
partly involved. And a very good time to commiserate with them, and to try and
diffuse this anxiety and tensions that they’re undergoing now.
Again, may I beg for your understanding. I am sorry, tomorrow I will not be
able to be here.
Thank you. Good day! (applause)
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