Press Release
October 14, 2009

ANGARA: EMPOWER LOCAL GOV'TS, STIMULATE ECONOMIES

Senator Edgardo J. Angara reiterated the lessons that should be learned from the recent Ondoy and Pepeng tragedy and emphasized the need to decentralize.

"One thing the recent tragedy highlighted is the inefficiency of our disaster management systems, which remain largely centralized. Our cities and municipalities had a very limited capacity to respond to the catastrophe in a direct and swift manner," said Angara. He added, "we are again taught the value of decentralization and empowering our local governments. We must make them less dependent on the capital, Manila, which has enough problems of its own."

He said that each region must be able to stand on its own, not just as a unit of government, but more importantly as an engine of economic growth. He called on government to give the country's various provinces the opportunity to build and stimulate their own economies.

Angara today sponsored Senate Bill 3470 creating a freeport zone in Aurora province, similar to Subic and Clark.

"Aurora stands at the cusp of economic development. It is blessed with natural splendor, and great economic potential. It is a gateway to the Pacific, which makes it ideal for international commerce. This makes it a prime location for an economic zone, and more importantly, a Freeport. The free movement of goods and services lies at the core of every international success story. We have Singapore and Hongkong as local examples.," said Angara who hails from Baler, Aurora.

Although Aurora is already a special economic zone, this bill expands on the current setup and allows Aurora to be a decentralized, self reliant and self-sustaining industrial, and trading area with agro-industrial, tourist, banking, financial and investment centers.

"We cannot just mouth words about self-sufficiency while continually denying the regions the tools needed to accomplish this task. Success requires investing massively in infrastructure, research, innovation, education and training the people who live in these regions. This formula will stimulate spending, and generate economic activity," said Angara.

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