Thank you very much, the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Deck Go.
Members of the Cabinet who are here with us today; the awardees, of course, of the Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan awards that have been handed out today, congratulations once again, good job, keep it up; fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
A pleasant day to you all.
Today, we celebrate the spirit of collaboration that achieves synergy – and synergy for our service to the public. These values fuel our collective pursuit of equitable development.
This milestone reaffirms a fundamental truth: Progress is never the work of one. It is the result of diverse sectors moving as one—aligned in purpose, determined in execution.
The road to a more dynamic investment climate and more globally competitive Bagong Pilipinas is paved with our shared commitment to ensuring that every investment translates into real, tangible benefits for our people.
Towards this end, this Administration has made it a priority to create a business landscape where both local and foreign investors can thrive.
Through Executive Order (EO) No. 18, we created Green Lanes for Strategic Investments—a fast lane for big, high-impact projects for the Philippines.
If you are an investor planning to build a factory, put up a renewable energy plant, or launch major infrastructure, you go straight to our Board of Investments. On average, it takes now 12 days—not months—for you to receive your permits and licenses, and you can start building right away.
The goal is simple: less red tape, more action, more results, more success, more quickly. We want investments to come in, projects to break ground faster, [and] jobs to reach our people sooner. Because when businesses move quickly, progress follows just as fast
The launch of the One-Stop-Action-Center for Strategic Investments is a step in complementing our ongoing efforts. It compels agencies to move with speed, with precision, and certainty, furthering the overall ease of doing business in the country.
Hindi po magiging buo ang tagumpay ng ating mga reporma kung wala ang taos-pusong suporta ng mga lokal na pamahalaan. Sila po ang ating mga kaagapay sa pagtutok at pagpapadali ng pagnenegosyo sa ating bansa.
Certainly, the results of our efforts speak for themselves. As of last month, we certified nearly 190 – 187 to be exact – strategic investments across key sectors.
These include renewable energy, digital infrastructure, food security, and manufacturing—amounting to a total investment value of over P4.6 trillion.
In fact, we have already key infrastructure in operation such as the 159 megawatt-peak Laoag Solar Power Project, and the 94 megawatt-peak Cayanga-Bugallon Solar Power Project, both of which are in Pangasinan.
We have also inaugurated major projects that were assisted by the Green Lane, such as the EDC-Project Charlie Hyperscale Data Center in New Clark City, Tarlac.
So, beyond these numbers, what do they mean? What do these reforms truly mean for our people?
Trabaho at serbisyo. Inaasahan po na makakalikha ang investment na ito ng halos 300,000 trabaho para sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi lamang po ito trabaho, kundi makabuluhang oportunidad para sa mas maayos at mas maginhawang buhay.
Makakatulong din po ang dumaraming investment upang mapababa ang presyo ng mga serbisyo at bilihin dahil sa kumpetisyon. Kasama na po diyan ang mas maayos na transportasyon, enerhiya, [at] komunikasyon dulot ng mga makabagong teknolohiya mula sa namumuhunan.
Our journey towards progress will continue to be built on a strong and agile partnership between the government and the private sector.
Therefore, it is only fitting that we recognize the members of the Investments Facilitation Network, our national government agencies, and, of course, our LGUs, whose steadfast commitment to this cause has made the Philippines a more attractive investment destination. You have helped build an environment where businesses can succeed, and, in turn, where our people can lead better lives and more dignified lives.
Of course, we are also here to congratulate our awardees for your exemplary work in advancing the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments. You have shown us that when public service is anchored on integrity, efficiency, and accountability, we can really see progress.
The Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan award is a call to stay the course and to ensure that the progress that we have begun will only build momentum in the years ahead. So, I encourage everyone to align your organizational goals with our national priorities so that we can push for even greater economic transformation together.
Let us nurture our commitment to investment facilitation. Let us support reforms that will attract even more high-impact and sustainable investments.
One of the most recent reforms is the passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy – it’s a real mouthful – so, let’s call it the CREATE MORE Act. This law improved our fiscal incentive system and targeted benefits to qualified projects.
Simula pa lamang po ito ng tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago sa ating mga sistema. Bilang Bagong Pilipino, palalawigin pa natin ang saklaw ng green lanes upang mas mapadali ang pag-usad ng ating mga proyektong may malaking ambag sa ating ekonomiya.
Through continued collaboration and resolute dedication to our shared purpose, let us construct our Bagong Pilipinas—a Philippines that stands confidently [alongside] the world’s most advanced and inclusive nations.
Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. [applause]
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