Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2
November 12, 2017
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 after attending in the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Da Nang City, Vietnam from November 8-11, 2017.
In his arrival statement, the President underscored the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the meeting. According to the President, aside from comprising the 70% of the world’s total trading, the MSMEs contribute to nation building and to the boosting economy.
“I had the occasion to discuss the importance of inclusive growth and the need to provide MSMEs with the opportunity to grow and become catalyst of national development,” he said.
He also mentioned the administration’s campaign in eradicating corruption in the government that will help boost the country’s economic development, create a better support for the MSMEs, and make the lives of the Filipino people comfortable.
“Tapusin talaga natin itong corruption sa gobyerno… I need peace in my country and I need to get rid of corruption,” he remarked.
“I am warning everybody. Again, marami na akong pinalayas sa gobyerno… I have fired so many people today. At gusto ko pa kung sino ang nagpapahirap kasi ang bayan natin ang nahihirapan,” he added.
Likewise, President Duterte shared his position as the current chair of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the APEC-ASEAN dialogue in creating collaboration between the two associations and build an economic hub for the region.
“During this dialogue, I discussed on how ASEAN economic community has open up prospects for further growth and how APEC should grasp the opportunity presented by ASEAN integration to build a larger and potentially more prosperous mega region,” the President said.
After arriving from Vietnam, the President is scheduled to participate in the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in the Philippines together with other world leaders from the ASEAN Member States (AMS) and the region’s dialogue partners.
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