Malacañang on Friday, October 13, welcomed the results of Pulse Asia’s latest survey, which revealed that a big majority of Filipinos continue to trust President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and approve of his performance in government.
In the nationwide survey conducted from September 24 to 30, President Duterte obtained an 80-percent approval rating on his performance as Chief Executive. His trust rating also remains high at 80 percent.
“Despite the multifaceted political noise, President Duterte is still the most approved and the most trusted government official in the Philippines today,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said during a press briefing in Malacañang.
“The survey, conducted last September 24 to 30 at the height of the demolition job against the President, even implicating some members of the President’s family,” he further noted.
Abella said the President’s firm commitment to fight illegal drugs and criminality in the country is his way of returning the overwhelming confidence and trust bestowed to him by the people.
He added that the people’s continued trust in the administration is what inspires them in government to provide a more comfortable life for all Filipinos.
In the same briefing, Abella said the European Delegation to the Philippines has already issued a clarification that it has no involvement in the visit of the seven-member delegation of the International Delegates of the Progressive Alliance, adding that it has falsely portrayed itself as EU mission.
“This delegation’s irresponsible statements protesting the alleged… You know, the perception was, it demeans our status as a sovereign nation, to which the President was reacting to,” Abella said.
“So the call of the President… must be taken in this light. For so long as the President has tolerated these interferences, he has decided that these must stop if only to preserve the integrity and dignity of our state,” he added.
Duterte administration positive on business confidence in PHL
The Palace expressed the government’s continued commitment to achieve inclusive economic growth, as business confidence in the country remains high.
“The local stock market continues to ignore the political noise and hits a new peak yesterday when the index closed for the first time above the 8,400 mark,” Abella cited.
“We are confident that we would be able to attain our growth target for the year and sustain our economic momentum as we move forward with our plans and programs, including rolling out the Build-Build-Build Infrastructure Plan,” he added.
Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez cited various indicators showing that the country continues to attract both local and foreign investments.
He said the recent drop in the country’s foreign direct investments (FDI) is just a “matter of timing,” which does not necessarily mean foreign businesses no longer want to invest in the country.
“Masasabi ko, ‘yung from the foreign, might be a matter of timing na nag-aaral pa sila, and they are all conducting feasibility studies, those who have come over and visited the BOI (Board of Investments),” Lopez stressed.
In fact, he said that investment interests in the country increased by 25 percent from January to September 2017 compared to the same period last year.
“So tingin namin doon, ito talaga, they are all in different stages of studies — feasibility studies. And just to let you know, some are already coming already. May tapos na ‘yung kanilang study,” Lopez explained.
Additionally, local investor confidence remains high, as local registration of investments increased by 33 percent from January to September 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, Lopez cited.
“So pag local and foreign ang pinag-usapan, ang laki ng growth. And that shows really the confidence,” he stressed.
Lopez further said international business chambers remain bullish on the country’s economic development, owing to the sustained growth in various industries like manufacturing and agriculture, among others.
“Ang sina-cite nila, economic data. Philippines is on a breakout. They want to invest in the Philippines of tomorrow…not only of today,” he said.
Post-Conflict Needs Assessment for Marawi now ongoing
During the same press briefing, Deputy Administrator for Administration of the Office of Civil Defense Kristoffer Purisima announced that the government has started conducting its post-conflict needs assessment (PCNA) in areas affected by the Marawi siege.
“The post-conflict needs assessment for the municipality of Butig, Lanao del Sur was conducted last 7 to 9 October 2017,” Purisima said.
The team that conducted the assessment was composed of technical experts from various government agencies.
Purisima said the government interventions in Butig would include the immediate repair of school buildings, including agricultural inputs and capacity building.
Meanwhile, the team is also set to conduct on Monday, October 16, its damage and loss assessment (DALA) in cleared areas in Marawi City.
On the government’s livelihood program for displaced families in Marawi, Trade Secretary Lopez said his department had launched programs on market access, financing, and skills training.
The Trade department is also planning to provide 100 more sewing machines for the evacuees. The initial 50 were already in Iligan City and will be distributed in the next two days, Lopez said.
The Cabinet official also announced the DTI’s plan to realign some of its savings to fund its livelihood programs for Marawi evacuees.
“So far, we are realigning about P40 million from some savings in the DTI to realign it to Marawi for this purpose,” he said. ### PND
