ENRILE BATS FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

DAVAO CITY, In the face of the global economic crisis, the Philippines must pursue development plans, especially at the local level, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said today.

Addressing the 18th national assembly here of the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines, Enrile painted a "grim economic picture" of the Philippines as an outcome of the ongoing global economic downturn.

But, Enrile emphasized, "I am very confident that we can survive the current global financial crisis. However, we must look for the solution not amongst the promises and possibilities offered by other members of the international community, but within ourselves and within our nation's potentials."

"We should not rely only on external resources to help us achieve of own development goals. Rather, we must tap our own fiscal, human, natural and even intellectual resources."

Noting the theme of the conference, Moving Forward in Unison with the PBMLP Vision for a Stronger Philippines, Enrile praised the provincial board members for exerting determined efforts, along with other local officials, to improve the lives of the people.

Enrile deplored that "our country has long languished in the developing state, as we have been forever considered among, and lumped together with, the developing countries. Long before the new US president has espoused the need for change, many leaders of our country, both past and present, have already earnestly called for reforms in our society."

He recalled that "Decades ago, the Philippines was one of the promising economies of Asia. Long before the term tiger economy became popular, the Philippines was second to Japan in terms of economic development. But because of economic mismanagement and bad governance, we lost to neighboring countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and even Indonesia in the race for economic development."

Enrile expressed "faith in our country and in our people. We have surmounted countless colossal challenges in the past. Despite the numerous economic and political storms that battered our country, we have remained resilient. Each crisis did not leave us weak nor worn out. Instead, we have become more fired up to embrace and overcome the challenges ahead."

He stated that "The bleak global economic outlook should not discourage us from pursuing our development plans especially at the local level."

He urged the provincial board members to "encourage entrepreneurship and conduct skills training courses for your constituents. Rest assured that you can count on the support of the Philippine Senate for local initiatives that are aimed at providing employment and livelihood to our people."

Enrile noted that in the 2009 National Budget, Congress included a P50 billion Economic Stimulus Fund to be used for priority programs for the agriculture sector, infrastructure development, education and skills-building for the members of the labor force, as well as environmental protection.

"We have likewise allocated funds for assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises so that our workers, including those overseas workers who shall be displaced by the shutting down of factories and companies abroad, will have the opportunity to put up their own business and secure their own source of livelihood."

"To have a strong economy; to become a major player in the Asia-Pacific region; to be a politically-stable and socially-developed nation - that is our collective dream for our country," the Senate president stressed.

"But to be able to realize that dream, we must have strong local governments, with leaders who feel the pulse of the masses and are committed to working for the good of the public. You, the board members of your respective provinces, play a crucial role in this endeavor," Enrile declared.