For highly successful, very productive working visit to US

NEW YORK CITY – SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday congratulated President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for a highly successful and very productive working visit to the United States (US), highlighted by his participation in the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and meeting with President Joe Biden.

“The President wasted no time in his efforts to put the Philippines again in the investments map of the world. At a time when nations struggle to bounce back from the ill effects of the pandemic on economies, our President hit the ground running and worked almost round the clock to bring home much-needed investments,” Romualdez said.

President Marcos held formal and informal bilateral meetings with leaders of Philippine key allies, such as the US and Japan.

President Marcos left for New York City last September 18 and attended the UNGA where he met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to reaffirm the necessary partnership between the Philippines and the UN.

The Philippines is a founding member of the UN.

With Romualdez, Finance Sec. Benjamin Diokno, Budget Sec. Amenah Pangandaman, Trade and Industry Sec. Alfredo Pascual, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Presidential Management Staff Sec. Ma. Zenaida B. Angping, Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe M. Medalla, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, Press Sec. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, and other members of the delegation, President Marcos also met a number of business leaders from different companies who committed to be a part of the Philippine development and economic growth.

The Chief Executive also addressed the global investors, traders, and other guests at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) where he was asked to ring the closing bell on the trading floor.

President Marcos urged them to come to the Philippines and tap its potential as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.

He came from very successful state visits in Indonesia and Singapore where the Chief Executive was able to bring in over $14 billion in investment pledges.

“We at the House of Representatives will help in making these investment pledges come to fruition. If the President needs any piece of legislation to materialize the objectives of these bilateral trade and investment agreements, we will answer the call,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez also said that there are pending legislation aimed at facilitating better the influx of foreign investments into the country that are also in line with the Marcos administration’s legislative agenda.

“These include the eCommerce Bill, the National Government Rightsizing Program, the eGovernance Act, amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, and amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, among others,” Romualdez said.

“What is important is we all do our share in nation-building. We all hope to capitalize on the early gains of the Marcos administration in order to steer our economy back to its pre-pandemic growth,” he added.