Page 24 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

24 July to December
2017

PHL Consulate General in New York Holds Forum on the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

The Philippine Consulate General in New York organized She said that the PDP 2017-2022 lays down
a forum on the newly-launched Philippine Development Plan the foundation for inclusive growth, high-trust and
(PDP) 2017-2022 held at the Philippine Center on 18 July 2017. resilient society, and a globally competitive knowledge
economy by 2022. The programs of the government
Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of the National under the PDP fall into three major categories, she
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Undersecretary explained: enhancing the social fabric (malasakit),
Roger P. Tong-An of the Department of Health (DOH), and inequality-reducing transformation (pagbabago), and
Undersecretary Florita Villar of the Department of Social Welfare increasing growth potential (patuloy na pag-unlad).
and Development (DSWD) served as the resource speakers.
They were in New York to attend meetings in the UN. Undersecretary Edillon also discussed
"Ambisyon Natin 2040", a long-term (25 years) vision for
Undersecretary Edillon shared the positive outlook and the Philippines and an anchor for development planning
continuous economic growth of the Philippines which is one of the across administrations.
fastest growing economies in Asia. The country's GDP grew by
6.9% in 2016 and Undersecretary Edillon expects that this growth On the other hand, Undersecretary Tong-an
rate will be sustained in 2017 and the next coming years. discussed the role of the DOH under the PDP. He
emphasized that under the Philippine Health Agenda
2016-2022, the advancement of health promotion and
quality primary care, as well as the expansion of
Philhealth coverage and benefits, are part of the
government's priorities.

DSWD Undersecretary Villar explained the
programs of the DSWD to promote development, and
emphasized the importance of supporting the poor and
the underprivileged through programs like the Pantawid

Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). She also gave a
brief update on the forms of assistance being extended
by the DSWD to those affected by the armed conflict in
Marawi City.

(Seated L-R) DOH Undersecretary Tong-An, NEDA Undersecretary Edillon, Consul The event was attended by members of the
Talbo, DSWD Undersecretary Villar, and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Filipino-American community and personnel of the
Irene Susan B. Natividad with some participants of the Forum. Philippine Mission to the UN and the Philippine
Consulate General. Consul Arman R. Talbo served as
the forum's moderator

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez: Philippine Growth Story Momentum to Continue

Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez
presented the Philippines’ economic developments, growth trajectory, and
investment opportunities at an Investment Forum held at the Philippine
Center in New York on 31 August 2017.

The event undertaken by the Philippine Trade and Investment
Center in New York with the support of the Philippine Consulate General
and Ernst and Young, provided the US Business Sector, media, and
economic analysts a first-hand account by one of the Philippines’ senior
economic managers of the growth momentum of the Philippines.

Speaking at the Forum, Secretary Lopez emphasized the major
selling points of the Philippines from a firm commitment to inclusive
growth for all under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s 10-Point
Socioeconomic Agenda, the focus on good governance, business and
investment facilitation, the country’s strong human resource capital Secretary Ramon M. Lopez speaks about “Partner Philippines:
undergoing a demographic sweet spot, the Build Build Build Infrastructure Building Value Together”
Program, to the strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

The Secretary fielded questions on the current business environment, the new growth areas, the massive

infrastructure program, and proposed tax reform measures. (Continue to page 25)