BAGUIO CITY -- The national government has satisfactorily, effectively, and efficiently managed the country’s economy which resulted in no recession despite the global economic meltdown that affected several developed nations, an official of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said here late Thursday afternoon.

The good export climate, the positive foreign receipts coupled with the improving American economy are now indicators that the country’ s economy will slowly improve in the remaining quarters of the year, Ambassador Donald Dee, PCCI chairman emeritus, said.

Contrary to the perception of the opposition and other militant groups that the country’s economy had been poorly managed during the Arroyo administration over the past eight years, the PCCI said it is only during the period 2001-2008 that the country realized 36 quarters of positive growth and a stable foreign direct investment climate which greatly helped shield the serious negative effects of the global economic crisis in the local scene.

The largest business group in the country believes that by next year economic growth will increase to levels where the poor Filipino families could feel the effects of improving fiscal position through the provision of better socio-economic and basic services.

However, Dee said they are hoping that there will be no overspending in the forthcoming May 2010 synchronized elections so that there will be no inflationary pressure which could affect the country’s fiscal position before and after the elections.

He said elections usually unite people and there is a clear indication that the country will be able to achieve a stable economic situation once national and local leaders will be put in place by the voters.

In the business aspect, Dee pointed out the country’s economy was slightly over the positive level and never reached negative levels during the term of President Arroyo.

The recession which many people fear would affect the country never occurred because of the strong fiscal position of the national government brought about by the good stewardship of the economic managers, he said.

At the same time, he credited the Arroyo administration for the multi-billion investments it poured in infrastructure development, health and education which is now making a big difference in improving the living conditions of the poor families in the countryside.

Dee underscored that such investments provided the avenue for more employment opportunities, access to potential growth centers, and agricultural enhancement, among others, which are vital aspects in charting the country’s future.

The country’s export services which had recorded growth from 5 to 6 percent over the past several years could now be given a big lift with the improving economic conditions of developed countries such as the US, translating to improved economic growth for the country in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the group said the alleged excessive spending of President Arroyo and her party in her foreign trips was not a big deal since she is carrying the image and credibility of the country once she steps on a foreign land.

Dee said it is unfortunate that some politicians are making use of senseless issues against the Arroyo administration just to advance their own agenda.

Dee said it is only in the Philippines where people scrutinize expenses of top officials which should not actually be the case since the services of the President in promoting the country as an investment cannot be given a price tag.

The PCCI official cited a leader of an Asian country who ordered the re-modeling of a hotel room in Europe just to stay there for only one day but the people in his country never questioned such excessive spending of their leader.

According to Dee, the re-modeling of the Europe hotel room is far more expensive than Arroyo’s US trip but it seems politics is prevailing in our country due to the upcoming May 2010 elections.

What is important, Dee emphasized, is that the Philippines is known worldwide as an investor-friendly nation so that foreign direct investments will continue to come.

Dee said there are more pressing issues in the country which should be addressed by both the administration and opposition leaders.

He said the 90 million Filipinos must wake up to the reality that they should not vote for people who are trying hard to gain publicity by simply barking up the wrong tree for their names to be broadcasted, printed and televised in media.