Berlin, Germany
19 September 2014
President Benigno S. Aquino III was warmly welcomed by the members of the Filipino community in Germany during the FilCom event held at the Maritim Hotel in Berlin.
In his speech, the President mentioned significant developments in the country starting with the government’s efforts in eliminating various forms of corruption such as the anomalies with the overpriced dredging project of the Laguna Lake that costs P18.7 billion and the excessive bonuses given by some of the Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to their employees.
Moreover, President Aquino proudly reported the average of 6.3% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth from 2010 to 2013 and the upgrade on the investment grade status given to the Philippines by major credit rating agencies in the world. As he explained, “Dahil investment grade na tayo, nakakahiram ang gobyerno ng pondo sa mas mababang interes. Ang dating napupunta lang sa interes, nagagamit na sa mga programa at serbisyo. Gayundin, mas marami tayong naaakit na negosyante at mabilis na tayong nakapaglalatag ng pagkakataon sa mga Pilipino.”
The President added that the gains in the reform programs of the government will continue if the people will contribute in the transformation efforts. He then cited important programs of the government in alleviating poverty such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program that aims to give health and education assistance to the underprivileged. On education, the government has met the 66,800 classroom shortage in the past year, as well as the 2.5 million backlog on chairs and 61.7 million on textbooks.
The signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is yet another milestone in achieving lasting peace in Muslim Mindanao region. President Aquino said that he has submitted the Bangsamoro Basic Law to the Congress before he left the country for his official mission in Europe and the United States of America.
Before he ended his message, President Aquino urged the Filipino community to continuously support him to lead through the “straight path.” He said, “Ngayong kaharap ko po kayo, sinasabi ko sa inyo: Boss, sasagarin ko ang bawat sandali at panahon para ipaglaban ang Pilipino. Tuloy ang ating laban kontra-katiwalian at kahirapan. Tuloy ang ating laban para iangat ang Pilipino at isulong ang kaunlaran ng bayan. Tuloy ang pagpapatunay natin sa ating sarili, sa ating kapwa at sa buong mundo. Tunay nga po, the Filpino is worth fighting for.”
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