Speaking Out: Ignacio R. Bunye
THE Philippines Development Forum (PDF), the primary mechanism of the Government for facilitating substantive policy dialogue among stakeholders in the country’s development agenda, held last Thursday and Friday its 2006 Forum, which focused on the theme "Building on Economic and Fiscal Reforms to Achieve Sustainable Growth and Social Progress."
With the powerhouse participants from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, Congress, local governments, and other development partners, the PDF is indeed well on track to accomplishing critical action items in the government’s reform agenda.
President Arroyo singled out the international donor community for Mindanao by saying that nothing will be more powerful for the future development of the Philippines than to bring peace, stability, and justice to Mindanao. She expressed confidence that before the year ends, we shall have achieved a lasting peace in Mindanao, and asked those who plan to provide aid to Mindanao once peace is achieved to consider providing their aid money now. According to her, this act of generosity and confidence will "put more air in our sails at a pivotal moment in our journey as we strive to reach the safe harbor of peace."
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Congratulations are in order for Asian Spirit which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The country’s second most profitable airline made it mark by servicing routes with heavy tourist traffic like Boracay. It is now poised to launch international flights to Palau via Davao.
In her remarks at the company’s anniversary celebration, President Arroyo likened Charter change to a "new aircraft, refurbished and overhauled for the long flight of the new century." Charter change, according to the President, is a move she embraces not out of any personal agenda, but because our country deserves a system that will allow us to join the ranks of first world nations in 20 years. What we need, the President believes, is a new Constitution, firmly grounded in the center with no more pressures from the extreme ends of the political spectrum.
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Safety will always be our primary concern and we assure the public that an independent probe is under way on the collapse of a portion of the Terminal 3’s ceiling.
It is essential that this airport facility live up to the standards of the best airports in the world. The DoTC and MIAA are leading the way forward for this to happen.
Note: Past articles may be viewed at http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/palace_bunye.htm
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