PNoy back in PHL, stresses importance of global partners

Arriving early Tuesday morning from the Asia Pacific Economic Conference in Hawaii, President Benigno Aquino III stressed the importance of global partners to hurdle economic difficulties and financial challenges. "Para sa isang maliit na bansa tulad ng Pilipinas, mas maitatawid natin sa ligtas at payapang pampang ng kasaganahan ang ating mga mamamayan kung palalakasin natin ang ating ugnayan sa mga karatig-bayan," Aquino said in his arrival speech. He arrived around 2:20 a.m. on board PR 001 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2. Among those who welcomed the President were his sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Public Works Secretary Ronaldo Singson, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, political adviser Ronald Llamas and Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II. Also present were Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Armed Forces chief General Eduardo Oban, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia and Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. Aquino met with his Cabinet shortly after his arrival speech. The Philippine president was among the state leaders who participated in the 19th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. "Ito ang halaga ng tatlong araw na pakikilahok natin sa 19th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting sa Honolulu, Hawaii: dalawampu't isang ekonomiyang nagkakapit-bisig upang pigilan ang paglawak ng pinsalang pampinansyal sa Asya Pasipiko; dalawampu't isang ekonomiyang sabay-sabay na sumasagwan tungo sa pagkakaisa, kapayapaan at kaunlaran," he said. Aquino said that among the topics discussed in the APEC were energy efficiency, job generation and maintaining strong economy in the region. He said the connection between the Asia Pacific countries, which is rooted on the principle of equality and cooperation, will serve as a shield against economic disaster. "Higit sa lahat, ang bunga ng mga inisyatibang ipinunla sa APEC ngayong taon ay aanihin at pakikinabangan, hindi lamang ng kasalukuyang henerasyon, kundi maging ng susunod pang salinlahi," he added. Also in his speech, Aquino thanked Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard for the $1 million her country gave to several organizations including the Philippine Red Cross to help those affected by the recent floods in different parts of the country. "Kapwa nanalig ang ating mga bansa sa patuloy na pakiki-agapay, at sa mas matatag pang kooperasyon sa hinaharap," he added. Chinese Taipei He also had chance to talk with the representative of Chinese Taipei on various economic issues and he urged the latter to invest in the Philippines. He mentioned to the Chinese Taipei representative the need to set up a new mechanism that will allow Filipino workers in Taiwan to get the value of their salary. He also appealed for a reasonable placement fee. "Ano po ba ang habol natin dito? Ang tiyakin na ang bawat butil ng pawis ng ating mga kababayang nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa ay magsisilbing bukal ng pag-unlad at pag-asa para sa kapakanan nila at ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay," he explained. Aquino also thanked the Filipino community in Hawaii for their warm welcome to his delegation. "Talaga naman pong napawi ang pagod at puyat ng buong delegasyon dahil sa mainit nilang pagtanggap sa amin, lalo pa nang malaman kong namamayagpag ang mga kababayan natin sa Hawaii sa iba’t ibang larangan," he said. The Philippine president said that after APEC, he will be attending the ASEAN Summit in Bali, Indonesia. "Makatitiyak po kayong nasa loob o labas man po tayo ng bansa, ang kapakanan lamang ng bawat Pilipino ang dala-dala natin. Samahan po ninyo ako: isang bansa nating tibagin ang mga balakid sa daan; isang bansa nating tahakin ang tuwid na landas, at isang bansa nating abutin ang katuparan ng ating mga pangarap," he said. Before going to Bali, Aquino will be meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who also came from the APEC meeting and will also be attending the ASEAN Summit. — RSJ, GMA News