Speaker Martin G. Romualdez (right) delivers his message during the meeting of the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF) at Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City. Also in photo are (from left) Co-chair Intergovernmental Relations Body Minister Mohagher Iqbal, Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Senate President Migz Zubiri. Photo by VER NOVENO
Speaker: ASEAN impressed with PH growth
SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez has observed during his participation in the just-concluded Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit how impressed the Philippines’ neighboring countries were at its economic expansion during the third quarter of 2022.
“Natutuwa ang kapwa nating ASEAN nations kasi nakita nila, ‘Uy, yung Pilipinas ay the economy is growing. Lumalakas na ‘yung recovery ninyo while some are not doing as well,” Romualdez told House beat reporters during his post-birthday lunch for media Tuesday.
“In the ASEAN, as you know, in the world is doing the best in terms of economic growth and recovery. And they are now seeing when I say ‘they’, it’s not just the ASEAN but our partner nations are seeing that the Philippines, with its growth targets, being actually achieved on the higher side of the spectrum,” Romualdez said.
The Philippines posted a remarkable 7.6 percent growth in gross domestic product or GDP from July to September 2022.
“Even si [Ways and Means] Chairman Joey Salceda, making reference to these statements, ‘Hindi ito tsamba.’ It is actually by design,” said Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st district in the House of Representatives.
“As you know we are well into the fourth month of the presidency so it’s apparent that the direction that PBBM’s economic managers, upon his instructions, are already bearing fruit. We intend to help and support this. The growth is there as evidenced by the GDP,” he added.
Romualdez went on to share an anecdote during the ASEAN Summit, particularly during his interaction with World Economic Forum (WEF) Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.
Schwab had invited Marcos to attend WEF’s upcoming event in January 2023 in Davos, Switzerland.
“Even the noted professor of the World Economic Forum, he’s the executive director, si Klausc Schwab called my attention and said that President Marcos would be one of the best persons to be at the World Economic Forum for they look at ASEAN as the bright star in the world’s economy,” the Speaker said. “And within the ASEAN, they see not just President Marcos as a very popular, but he sees now, they saw the numbers eh. So parang ito magiging model, and sign of hope, parang beacon of hope that at the end of the pandemic–hopefully we’re at the endemic stage–countries like the Philippines will be leading the charge forward,” he added.
