Aquino goads local officials to take care of investors

Himself taking on the role of investors’ “nanny," President Benigno Aquino III urged local officials to take care of investors pushing for growth in their respective areas. In his speech Wednesday at the 65th founding anniversary of the Liberal Party, Aquino said investors should not have to experience searching for a needle in a haystack as this discourages them. "Papel kong mag-yaya. Tulungan natin silang kumita para ganahan naman silang ituloy ang kanilang pag-iinvest sa ating bansa. Hindi na po uso 'yung siyam-siyam," Aquino said, asking officials to help encourage investors and saying that making investors wait indefinitely is no longer the in thing. The President pointed out that five more jobs are created for every employee an investor hires. Showing off During the assembly, Aquino showed off his administration's drawing power by getting $2.4 billion in investment commitments from Coca-Cola Co., Pfizer Inc., and Hewlett Packard Co. during his first official state visit to the US in September. He cited the $2.86-billion in investment pledges he received during his trip to Japan in November, which could be increased by another $2.6 billion. Aquino then reiterated Shell Philippines Exploration Corp. B.V.'s plan to spend $1 bilion to $1.2 billion over the next five years to further develop the Malampaya gas field. He said he has been attending groundbreaking ceremonies by companies like Nestle Philippines Inc. and IBM Philippines Inc. Each new company or establishment will create jobs that would total at least 200,000 jobs, he added. "Lahat po ito — ang pag-akit sa mga investor, ang pagpapakita ng tibay ng loob sa harap ng mahihirap na desisyon — ay nasa ilalim ng mas malawak na agenda natin para sa makatarungan at pantay-pantay na lipunan," Aquino said. The President said he has a feel for the responsibility vested upon him to transform the people's aspirations into reality. "Hindi po madali ang tungkuling ito. Tingnan nga po ninyo, iilang buwan pa lang ako sa puwesto ay numipis na nang ganito ang buhok sa bumbunan ko. Baka nga pagbaba ko sa puwesto lima't kalahating taon mula ngayon, pati kilay ko nalagas na," he said. — JE/VS, GMANews.TV