IMO Release 110
PGMA leaves for Switzerland; First order of business is keynote speech
before Swiss Chamber of Commerce
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leaves for Switzerland where her first order of business will
be her keynote speech before the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Zurich.
The President and her delegation are scheduled to take the 12:30 p.m. flight from Manila and are
expected to land at the Zurich International Airport about 18 hours later (Wednesday morning,
Manila time).
The President's latest working trip overseas will have her attending the International Board of
Advisors' Meeting in Zurich, and the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2008 in
Davos.
The President is scheduled to have 11 other events in Zurich, including dinner with Dr. Henry
Kissinger of the United States; and eight other events in Davos, including a meeting with
Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye, who will be joining the
President in her European working trip, said the Davos Forum is an "excellent opportunity for the
President to discuss with world leaders the Philippines' point of view and approach in
addressing issues…"
Such issues include the "global economy and world trade, the role and prospects of Asia within
this framework, the impact of the sub-prime crisis and the subsequent credit crunch, and the likely
consequences of climate change and measures to limit its effects," said Bunye.
"At a time when we must all collaborate more closely, any time that she (President Arroyo) has to
meet new leaders and thinkers is time well spent for her and for the nation," stressed Bunye, who
added that Davos is a "great place to share experiences outside the home country environment. "
The Press Secretary added that the President's attendance in the annual World Economic Forum
is "an opportunity to showcase how the Philippine economy has turned around and continues to
gain ground, although we still are a generation away from First World status." Also to be
showcased in the Davos event is "our deep commitment to investing not just in growth at any
price, but healthy growth that reflects our national values of concern for our island nation and all
its wonders," Bunye said.
IMO Release 111
PGMA begins busy 4-day working visit to Switzerland on Wednesday
ZURICH, Switzerland - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to arrive here at 11 p.m.
Tuesday (6:00 a.m. Wednesday, Manila time) for her four-day working visit to Switzerland to
discuss key issues with world leaders and entice more investments, trade and cooperation by
showcasing the advantages and economic upsurge of the Philippines due to various reforms
initiated by her administration.
The President's visit here will be highlighted by her attendance at the annual meeting of the
World Economic Forum (WEF) in the ski resort city of Davos, which gathers more than 2,500
participants from 88 countries, including 27 heads of state or government, 113 Cabinet members,
along with religious and media leaders, and heads of non-governmental organizations.
For over three decades, the annual meeting has become a venue and platform for collaboration
and action for the leaders of governments and various sectors to address priorities and global
issues at the start of each year.
The world leaders, top business officials and other guests would be officially welcomed to the
2008 WEF annual meeting during a reception Wednesday in Davos, located some three hours by
land travel from Zurich.
On her first day here Wednesday, the President is scheduled to meet with top Swiss
businessmen when she addresses the Swiss Chamber of Commerce at the Savoy Hotel in this
city, the largest and the main commercial and cultural center of Switzerland.
This would be followed by a series of business and courtesy calls led by Zuellig Pharmaceuticals
Chairman Dr. Stephen Zuellig, and the luncheon with the International Board of Advisors before
departing in the afternoon for Davos.
On Thursday, the President is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with business leaders in
Davos, highlighted by the bilateral meetings with Swiss Confederation President Pascal
Couchepin and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdulah Bin Hadji Ahmad Badawis.
The President is also scheduled to hold meetings with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director
General Pascal Lamy, and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger who is one of the cochairmen of the 2008 WEF annual meet.
On Friday morning, the President would have a 10-minute live interview by Reuters senior
journalist Steve Clark in the official breakfast program of WEF, "Davos Today."
Afterwards, the President would have a series of courtesy calls and meetings led by Netherlands
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, WEF Executive Chairman and Founder Prof. Klaus
Schwab, Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan,
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Sadako Ogata, and International
Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Khan.
President Arroyo would then address the high-level plenary session of the Swiss Congress on the
"Emerging Role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Asian
Community."
The President's working visit here will be highlighted by her address at the WEF on "Gender
Parity Group: Agenda for the Future" at the Congress Centre, Parsenn Workspace in Davos, on
Friday evening.
The President will leave for Dubai on Saturday morning.
IMO Release 112
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's departure statement on her visits to Switzerland and
the Middle East
(Read by the President at the opening of the joint National Economic and Development AuthorityCabinet Group and National Anti-Poverty Commission-Cabinet Group meeting at Malacanang's
Aguinaldo State Dining Room, January 22, 2008)
Mga kababayan, nagagalak tayo sa malaking pagbaba ng dami ng mga mamamayang
nagsasabing naghihirap sila, pinakamababa sa dalawampung taon. Ito ang bunga ng ating mga
reporma sa ekonomiya, katatagan ng sambayanan laban sa pamumulitika at pag-aalsa, at
lumalagong kumpyansa at pagtingala ng mundo sa ating bansa.
Sa tumitinding tagumpay ng ating sama-samang pagsulong ng progreso, kailangan din nating
bigyang-pansin ang ilang pangkat na hindi pa lubos na nabibigyan ng ating lumalagong
ekonomiya at kaban ng bayan. Kaya naman patuloy ang pakikipag-konsulta ng Gabinete sa iba'tibang sector, kasama ang mga pinuno ng simbahan at iba pang tinig ng mahihirap. Bahagi ng
pulong ng Gabinete ngayon ang kagyat na pagtugon ng pamahalaan sa mga usapin, hinaing at
pangangailangang inilapit sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan. Umasa kayo: nakinig at kikilos tayo.
Pangunahin sa ating pagkilos para sa mahihirap ang paggamit ng lumalagong kaban ng bayan
para sa mga programang pangkabuhayan, pangkalusugan, pang-edukasyon, pabahay, koryente
at tubig, at tulong sa magsasaka at mangingisda.
Sa patuloy na pagsigla ng ekonomiya at paghahatid ng biyaya sa taong bayan, pinakamahalaga
ang nagkakaisang pagsisikap ng lahat, lalo na ngayong may banta hindi lamang ng presyo ng
langis, kundi ang paghina ng ekonomiya ng Amerika na baka mag-epekto sa Pilipinas. Kaya
naman lalo nating pag-iibayuhin ang kabuhayan sa kabila ng mga ligalig sa pandaigdigang
ekonomiya.
Ito rin ang mensaheng ihahatid natin sa mga pinuno ng negosyo sa mundo na magpupulong sa
Switzerland.
Global engagement and a robust foreign policy are central pillars of our plan for a safe and strong
Philippines. We depart today for Europe and the Middle East to continue to advance the strategic
interests of the Philippines and press the need for closer economic, political and social relations
between the Philippines and the world.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, we will meet with a number of the world
leaders who are partners with the Philippines in bringing peace to Mindanao, aid assistance to
our poor and greater security in the fight against terrorism.
Another central goal of our trip is to continue the relentless promotion of the Philippines as a great
place to invest and do business. For the first time in a generation, the Philippine economy is on a
path to sustained economic growth, creating millions of new jobs and billions of new pesos in
revenue to invest in our people and our infrastructure to build up our nation. Foreign investment is
central to that progress. We are proud of the results of our ability to attract more and more
business to the Philippines the last seven years.
We will also be meeting with our International Board of Advisors which is comprised of some of
the world's top business leaders who are helping communicate the dynamism and the very
positive new environment for business that is being created in our nation.
Our journey will also take us to the Arabian Gulf and the Emirate of Dubai where we will meet
with top businessmen from the Gulf and the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, a government
that is playing an important role in global flows of investment capital and energy resources. This
is also a country that employs hundreds of thousands of our countrymen and women. We will
work to ensure that they continue to enjoy the positive working conditions that they deserve. In
our meetings with these fellow Filipinos we will assure them that their contributions to their
families and their country are recognized and appreciated.
These visits are part of the commitment of our Administration to global engagement that
broadens and deepens our ties, strengthens our security alliances, encourages trade and
investment agreements, and protects our overseas Filipino workers.
We will continue this engagement in 2008 as we have done throughout my presidency. We need
the world and we like to think the world needs us – our hardworking people, our ideal geographic
location, and our reliability as a friend and ally.
IMO Release 114
PGMA underscores importance to RP of global engagement
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underscored anew today the importance of global
engagement and a robust foreign policy in achieving her goal of a safe, strong and progressive
Philippines.
In her opening statement at the National Economic and Development Authority-National AntiPoverty Commission-Cabinet Group (NEDA-NAPC-Cabinet) meeting today in Malacanang, the
President said strengthening its international relations is a commitment that the Philippines must
pursue.
She pointed out that she's embarking on another foreign trip to broaden and deepen the country's
security alliances, invite more investors, and ensure that the welfare of the eight million overseas
Filipino workers (OFWs) is protected.
"Global engagement and a robust foreign policy are central pillars of our plan for a safe and
strong Philippines. We depart today for Europe and the Middle East to continue to advance the
strategic interests of the Philippines and press the need for closer economic, political and social
relations between the Philippines and the world," the President said.
In Davos, Switzerland, where she will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), the President
said she will meet with other world leaders who are helping the government work out a
permanent peace in Mindanao, as well as Philippine partners in development and the fight
against terrorism.
In Switzerland and Dubai, the President said she will promote the Philippines as one of the best
places in the region to invest in, and whose economy has attained a level of sustained growth.
"Another central goal of our trip is to continue the relentless promotion of the Philippines as a
great place to invest and do business," she said.
She cited the highest growth rate in a generation at 7.1 percent, the lowest unemployment rate, a
surge in investments, high job creation, strong peso and a budget coming into balance as some
of the key attributes of the country's growing economy.
"For the first time in a generation, the Philippine economy is on the path to sustained economic
growth, creating millions of new jobs and billions of new pesos in revenue to invest in our people
and our infrastructure to build up our nation," she said.
"Foreign investment is central to that progress," she said, adding that she is proud of her ability to
attract more investments in the last seven years.
The President also said that while in Davos, she will meet with the International Board of
Advisors, which is composed of some of the world's top business leaders "who help communicate
the dynamism and the very positive new environment for business that is being created in our
nation."
On her trip to Dubai, the President cited the important role the emirate plays in the flow of global
investments and energy resources.
She will also meet top business leaders and push for the welfare of the thousands of Filipinos
working in the Gulf region.
"We will continue this engagement in 2008 as we have done throughout my presidency. We need
the world and we like to think the world needs us—our hardworking people, our ideal geographic
location, and our reliability as a friend and ally," the President added.
IMO Release 115
Policy Statements on PGMA's Departure Statement for Official Visits to the Swiss
Confederation and Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Aguinaldo
State Dining Room, Malacañang
Speech at: http://www.op. gov.ph/speeches. asp?iid=1178&iyear=2008&imonth=1
Governance
"Nagagalak tayo sa malaking pagbaba ng dami ng mga mamamayang nagsasabing naghihirap
sila, pinakamababa sa dalawampung taon. Ito ang bunga ng ating mga reporma sa ekonomiya,
katatagan ng sambayanan laban sa pamumulitika at pag-aalsa, at ang lumalagong kumpiyansa
at pagtingala ng mundo sa ating bansa."
"In our meetings with these fellow Filipinos, we will assure them that their contributions to their
families and their country is recognized and appreciated. "
"These visits are part of the commitment of our administration to global engagement that
broadens and deepens our ties, strengthens our security alliances, encourages trade and
investment agreements, and protects our overseas Filipino workers."
"We need the world and we like to think the world needs us --- our hardworking people, our ideal
geographic location, and our reliability as a friend and ally."
Social Services
"Pangunahin sa ating pagkilos para sa mahihirap ang paggamit ng lumalagong kaban ng bayan
para sa mga programang pangkabuhayan, pangkalusugan, pang-edukasyon, pabahay, kuryente
at tubig, at tulong sa magsasaka at mangingisda. "
"Sa patuloy na pagsigla ng ekonomiya at paghatid ng biyaya sa taong bayan, pinakamahalaga
ang nagkakaisang pagsikap ng lahat, lalo na ngayong may banta hindi lamang ng presyo ng
langis kundi ang paghina ng ekonomiya ng Amerika na baka mag-apekto sa Pilipinas. Kaya
naman lalo nating pag-iibayuhin ang kabuhayan sa kabila ng mga ligalig sa pandaigdigang
ekonomiya."
International Relations
"Global engagement and a robust foreign policy are central pillars of our plan for a safe and
strong Philippines. We depart today for Europe and the Middle East to continue to advance the
strategic interests of the Philippines and press the need for closer economic, political and social
relations between the Philippines and the world."
"We will meet with a number of world leaders, political and business, who are partners with the
Philippines in bringing peace to Mindanao, aid assistance to our poor, and greater security in the
fight against terrorism."
"Another central goal of our trip is to continue the relentless promotion of the Philippines as a
great place to invest and do business. For the first time in a generation, the Philippine economy is
on a path to sustained economic growth, creating millions of new jobs and billions of new pesos
in revenue to invest in our people and our infrastructure to build up our nation. Foreign investment
is central to that progress. We are proud of the results of our ability to attract more and more
businesses to the Philippines in the last seven years."
"We will meet with top businessmen from all over the gulf and the leaders of the United Arab
Emirates, a government that's playing an important role in global flows of investment capital and
energy resources. This is also a country that employs hundreds of thousands of our countrymen
and women. We will work to ensure that they continue to enjoy the positive working conditions
that they deserve."
IMO Release 116
PGMA off to Switzerland for World Economic Forum and Dubai to meet
investors and overseas Filipino workers
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo flew to Switzerland at noon today to attend the annual World
Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos where the Chief Executive will "meet with a number of the
world leaders who are partners with the Philippines in bringing peace to Mindanao, aid and
assistance to our poor, and greater security in the fight against terrorism."
After her Switzerland events, the President will proceed to the Emirate of Dubai in the Middle
East on the way back to Manila to meet top businessmen from the Gulf and overseas Filipino
workers in the region.
Wearing an all-black outfit, the President arrived 15 minutes early at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport's Centennial II terminal where Philippine Airlines (PAL) PR-001 awaited her
at the south-most bay.
President Arroyo was accompanied by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo who skirted the
Philippine Air Force (PAF) honor guards that gave foyer honors for the departing President,
passing at the back of the said guards as President Arroyo was escorted by Armed Forces chief
Hermogenes Esperon Jr., through the line.
With the PAF band playing in the background, the President bid farewell to the military, police and
government officials who saw her off, including Vice President Noli de Castro.
Also on hand to bid the President farewell were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice
Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and Environment Secretary Jose
Atienza, among others.
Among the President's delegation to Europe is Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman
Ignacio R. Bunye who earlier stressed that "at a time when we must all collaborate more closely,
any time that she (President Arroyo) has to meet new leaders and thinkers is time well
spent for her and for the nation."
The Presidential spokesman had also pointed out that the Davos forum is an "excellent
opportunity for the President to discuss with world leaders the Philippines' point of view and
approach in addressing issues…"
Indeed, President Arroyo – who presided over the regular Tuesday Cabinet meeting at
Malacanang before leaving for Europe – stated, thus:
"…We depart today for Europe and the Middle East to continue to advance the strategic interests
of the Philippines, and press the need for close economic, political, and social relations between
the Philippines and the world."
In her statement at the start of the joint National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)Cabinet cluster and the National Anti-Poverty Commission-Cabinet cluster meeting, the President
added that "another central goal of our trip is to continue the relentless promotion of the
Philippines as a great place to invest and do business."
"For the first time in a generation, the Philippine economy is on a path to sustained economic
growth, creating millions of new jobs and billions of new pesos in revenue to invest in our people
and our infrastructure to build up our nation. Foreign investment is central to that progress," the
President stressed.
"We are proud of the results of our ability to attract more and more business to the Philippines the
last seven years," she added.
Before Davos, the President will touch down in Zurich where her first order of business is her
keynote speech before the Swiss Chamber of Commerce. While there, President Arroyo will also
be "meeting with our International Board of Advisors which is comprised of some of the world's
top business leaders who are helping communicate the dynamism and the very positive new
environment for business that is being created in our nation."
After her Switzerland events, the President will proceed to the Middle East on the way back to
Manila: "Our journey will also take us to the Arabian Gulf and the Emirate of Dubai where we will
meet with top businessmen from the Gulf and the leaders of the United Arab Emirates
(UAE), a government that is playing an important role in global flows of investment capital and
energy resources."
The President added about the UAE: "This is also a country that employs hundreds of thousands
of our countrymen and women. We will work to ensure that they continue to enjoy the positive
working conditions that they deserve."
"In our meetings with these fellow Filipinos, we will assure them that their contributions to their
families and their country are recognized and appreciated. "
President Arroyo -- who embarked on her first foreign trip this year – explained that "these visits
are part of the commitment of our Administration to global engagement that broadens and
deepens our ties, strengthens our security alliances, encourages trade and investment
agreements, and protects our overseas Filipino workers."
"We will continue this engagement in 2008 as we have done throughout my presidency. We need
the world and we like to think the world needs us – our hardworking people, our ideal geographic
location, and our reliability as a friend and ally."