EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City
27 June 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), as it holds the 5th UP-NCPAG International Conference on Public Administration and Governance, for its contributions in nation-building and promoting transparent, competent, accountable and ethical leadership.

The President said that because of his administration’s efforts on reforms in governance, the global community recognized the country for its seriousness “to close the gap between rich and poor, and to eradicate corruption.” With this, he cited that in present, the country improved its rank in the Corruptions Perceptions Index. “In 2008, we were ranked at 141st, and we have progressed to 134th in 2010, and to 129th in 2011,” he said.

He also mentioned that Philippines is perceived as the 16th largest world economy by 2050 and the best place for business in Asia by popular publications and economic institutions.

President Aquino encouraged each participant of the international conference as well as the members of UP-NCPAG to continue their advocacy and work hand-in-hand with his government. “The changes we envision are massive, and these changes cannot be enacted by a single office. We have to do it together,” he stated.

In this note, NCPAG pledged to President Aquino to continue upholding a competent, ethical, accountable and transparent public administration and governance.

The President was joined by UP-NCPAG Alumni Association President and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, UP System President Alfredo Pascual, UP-NCPAG Dean Edna Estifania Co and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr.

*  *  *