ASEAN focuses on inclusive growth

By Leslie D. Venzon

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 14 (PNA) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), deemed Asia’s economic powerhouse, is working to achieve more inclusive growth so its people, especially the poor, can benefit from economic growth.

Ma. Hellen De La Vega, Asst. Secretary of the Office of ASEAN Affairs-Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), noted that ASEAN gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to USD 2.43 trillion, the third largest in Asia and the seventh largest in the world.

“That is the ultimate goal: the reduction of poverty,” she said on the sidelines of a roadshow for the ASEAN Summit 2017 here on Saturday.

De Vega said ASEAN members were working to bring such economic benefits to 620 million people in the region even amid diverse political system and economic development.

“We are looking at an ASEAN community that is people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN,” she noted. ”…No economy, no sector should be left behind.”

To achieve inclusive and innovation-led growth, the Department of Foreign 
 Affairs (DFA) official underscored the need to boost trade and investment; and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and digital economy, among others.

A people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN and inclusive, innovation-led growth are among Philippine thematic priorities for ASEAN 2017.

Others include peace and stability in the region; maritime security and cooperation; ASEAN’s resiliency; and ASEAN: a model of regionalism, a global player.

The country will launch the ASEAN 2017 here on Sunday which carries the theme “Partnering for change, engaging the world”.

Hugpong orients LaSur on federalism.

Dela Cruz, Tizon and Obar grace forum.

By Judys G. Cogo

LANAO DEL SUR—Hugpong Federal Movement of the Philippines, this province  led by Raisa B. Maruhom, provincial director, organized forum on federalism at Elena Tower in Iligan City Saturday, January 7.

As provincial director, Maruhom felt it is her responsibility to orient the people in the place in support to the present administration’s advocacy.

Graced by Celso Tizon, national chairman of Hugpong Federal Movement of the Philippines, about 200 key leaders and volunteers attended the occasion.

In his speech, Tizon said the group needs to unite in support with the advocacy of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shifting to federalism to address inequitable development in the country.

Tizon said the solution to inequality is to decentralize economic operations and other items to have an equitable development, thus, criminality maybe reduced.

The chairman added working hand in hand to promote federalism would result to the possibility that the proposed system may be implemented by 2021.

Meanwhile Atty. Joel Obar, national legal counsel of Hugpong, said the benefit on federalism is that the state can maximize the utilization of their natural resources for their welfare.

He said the Philippine Constriction adopted the Regalian Doctrine which hold all natural resources belong to the State.

Obar added no amount of autonomy under the local government code can impose such policy, except under federal form of government.

On the other hand, Vergilio S. Dela Cruz, secretary general of Hugpong, said the creation of the movement is on voluntary bases and is now registered with the Security Exchange Commission.

Dela Cruz said Hugpong FederaL Movement of the Philippines is a movement organized which no money involves, except the collection of fifty pesos for the payment of IDs. He said the payment of ID is a counterpart of the its members for the printing and layouting cost.

Lugus Mayor Hadar Hajiri, board of trustee and who is also with the group, inspired the audience with his speech that under federalism people would have most of its natural resource.

  

NIA finalizes feasibility study of proposed Php18-B Panay River Basin project in Capiz

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 4 (PNA) -- The Feasibility Study (FS) for the proposed Php18-billion Panay River Basin irrigation project in Capiz is now being finalized as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is optimistic that it will be realized this year.

This was revealed by NIA Administrator Peter Lavińa who is in Iloilo City Wednesday for a stakeholders meeting.

The study will be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which in turn will endorse the document to Chinese Embassy that will arrange for the funding mechanism.

The Panay River Basin irrigation project was among the projects presented before interested funders during the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in China.

The proposed Panay River Basin will even be bigger than the Php15-billion Ilocos Norte irrigation project covering the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra, according to Lavińa.

NIA-6 Regional Director Gerardo Corsiga said that the Capiz project will cover about 14 municipalities of the province. It will provide power, potable water and farm irrigation in the province.

Meanwhile during the meeting, Lavińa expressed the need of the country to have more irrigation projects.

Only 57 percent of the irrigable lands in the country have irrigation systems. There are existing ones but they are already old and damaged by calamities, among others.

He said that NIA will build more irrigation projects starting this year as the country’s population will also increase and more rice will be needed. (PNA)