Press Release
March 16, 2007

SENATOR ANGARA VOWS MEASURE TO SUSTAIN RP GROWTH

Sen. Edgardo Angara, the longest-serving senator in the country today, has vowed to institute measures that would sustain the growth of the Philippine economy if he wins a fourth term to the Senate.

He said that the economic growth of the Philippines is real but he warned that leaders would lose the opportunity to sustain it if they continue wrangling instead of uniting for the common good.

Angara recalled that when he was the opposition leader and Senate President during the Ramos administration, he crafted legislation that solved the country's power crisis.

"As a senator, I have shown that I can work with others to propel the country forward," he said of his track record, which he cited as the main reason why the people has been voting for him in three senatorial elections.

Angara, who is on his 17th year as senator, also assured that the measures he would undertake would be equitable so that growth could spread out to the countryside.

At the recent forum sponsored by Philippines, Inc. and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Angara said he would press for the use of improved technology in fishery, more post-harvest facilities, improvement of the quality of education, and an increase in investments especially in the rural areas.

Angara, a former agriculture secretary, has authored the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act and the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund that gives incentives for the development of vegetable farming.

He also assured businessmen that he would continue to strengthen the banking and credit system. His bills seeking to create a Credit Information System that would lessen the risks of banks, and establishing an alternative retirement fund for non-members of the Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System is pending before the bicameral conference committee.

His bills amending the New Central Bank Act, establishing a Pre-Need Code and providing for faster rehabilitation or recovery of distressed or insolvent companies is pending second reading at the Senate. He has vowed to refile these measures if these would not be passed by Congress when it resumes session after the May elections.

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