MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 3, 2014) – President Benigno Aquino has said that his two-day state visit to Malaysia was successful and even cited the signing of the agreement on cultural, arts, and heritage cooperation, including the accord cooperation in the field of education.
Aquino flew to Kuala Lumpur on February 27 at the invitation of His Majesty The Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the Head of State of Malaysia, and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak.
He said Malaysia – which is brokering the peace talks between Manila and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels – also expressed readiness to help the Philippines in the field of Islamic banking and finance. The two countries also agreed to boost bilateral trade, as well as defense and security cooperation.
Aquino thanked the Malaysian government for its support to the peace process in Mindanao, as well as for the assistance it extended to the country in the wake of super typhoon Haiyan that devastated central Philippines.
Both Aquino and Najib also agreed on the peaceful settlement of disputes in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, in accordance with international law.
During the visit, Aquino met with the Filipino community in Kuala Lumpur and shared the accomplishments of his administration’s reforms and good governance.
He also met with Malaysian businessmen and invited them to invest in the country, particularly in Mindanao.
“Personal po nating ibinahagi sa kanila ang positibong epekto ng ating mga reporma, at ang inaasahan nating pagpapatuloy ng pag-aarangkada ng atin pong bansa,” Aquino said.
“Ngayon nga pong natatanaw na natin ang kapayapaan sa rehiyong ‘yon, umaasa din tayo sa napipintong pagpasok ng marami pang mga negosyo at sa panganganak nito ng mas maraming oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Aquino has assured the Filipino community that his administration will remain determined to fight graft and corruption. He said reforming the bureaucracy is continuing and that his government will go after those who have committed wrongdoings and abuses.
The Filipino community praised Aquino for his firm stand against corruption and assured him of their continuing support.
Aquino also told Filipinos that the Philippines has improved a lot since his assumption to office in 2010. And despite the recent calamities that hit the country, the Philippines still posted a 7.2% GDP (gross domestic product) growth last year, one of the highest in Asia.
He said the government succeeded in creating more jobs, particularly in the business process outsourcing and semiconductor industry, and eliminated the backlog in classrooms and chairs and gave schoolchildren enough books to use.
In the long term, the goal is attaining inclusive growth for Filipinos, he said, adding the government has increased the number of poor families under its conditional cash transfer program from 3.9 million in 2013 to 4.4 million this year.
Aquino also said that with the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Mindanao region will be given an opportunity to develop itself and in the long run, improve the living conditions of the Muslim population in the South.
“Hindi ko magagawang mag-isa na ayusin lahat ng problema ng Pilipinas. Pero habang naniniwala sa akin ang taumbayan, sumasama sa akin ang aking mga boss, at tulung-tulong tayo sa direksyon na tahakin ang tuwid na daan, oras lang ang pinag-uusapan bago natin maabot ang gusto nating abutin,” he said.
“Wala hong dahilan na ang susunod na salinlahi daanan ‘yung problemang dinaanan natin na nagtulak sa atin sa kanya-kanya nating tadhana ngayon. May obligasyon tayo at ginagawa na natin at gagawin pa na ang ipapamana natin sa susunod na salinlahi ay ‘di hamak mas maganda kaysa sa dinatnan natin.”
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