PNoy: Gov’t determined to strengthen country’s agricultural backbone

By Robert E. Roperos

Monday 6th of August 2012

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 6 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III, through Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Sec. Luwalhati Antonino said the government is determined to strengthen its agricultural backbone.

Sec. Antonino delivered the speech of the President during the culmination program of the 21st Mindanao Business Conference held in one of the local hotels in this city.

The President said Mindanao is a major source of crops, and the expansion of its agricultural production will redound to higher quality produce, more competitive agri-businesses, and vaster sources of crop and agricultural products at the end of the day guaranteeing food security for the Filipino people.

“In line with this, we are determined to tighten the measures needed to protect the environmental integrity of the land,” Aquino said.

Meanwhile, the official underscored Executive Order 79 to uphold sustainable growth of the mining sector, saying the order establishes guidelines and reforms that ensure environmental protection, and mandates responsible mining to all mining enterprises regardless of scale.

“The progress we now attain can only be truly available if, our people, and the succeeding generations of Filipino reap the benefits of the reforms we now make,” Pres. Aquino said.

Aquino further laid out the flagship program of the President, saying that the government has reaffirmed its promise: “on the straight and righteous path, and no one is left behind.”

True to this, Pres. Aquino said the government is cleaning houses, weeding out the elements of corruption and deceit in the government and society. The President added this was achieved through government’s efforts in streamlining business processes at the local and national levels “to ensure that social justice, security, and market stability become the business of the day.”

“Your efforts to create an environment where trade, commerce, and learning will thrive is indicative of your vision for real economic growth and development, not only for the business players and enterprises, but equally for all the people of Mindanao,” Pres. Aquino said.

With these developments, the country's chief executive calls on participants, regardless of profession and practice, political affiliation and economic stance, religion or race, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder as they tread the straight and righteous patch towards mutual growth and lasting progress.

“We all have a stake in a Mindanao, and in a Philippines that is most equitable, more peaceful, and more progressive. We are pulling apart the curtain of discord and hopelessness that once divided our nation. Now, we greet the daylight of opportunity, order, and optimism here in the Promised Land,” the President said.

The Mindanao Business Conference is an opportunity for broad range of stakeholders to speak with one voice on the region’s most pressing economic policy concerns where the highlight of the event is the formal presentation of the Mindanao Business Policy Agenda to the Office of the President of the Philippines.

It also serves as the official business conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for the Mindanao area and is the biggest PCCI business conference in scope and number of participants, among them senior business leaders, members of chambers of commerce, government policymakers, investors and foreign trading partners. (RER – PIA-Caraga)