Purisima asks people: believe in future of PH

By Mia A. Aznar

Wednesday, November 14, 2012
DESPITE challenges that need to be done to improve the country’s competitiveness, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima hopes the public would also see the opportunities facing the country today.
Purisima, who was the keynote speaker at yesterday’s National Business Conference of Independent Business Clubs and Chambers, said the Philippines is a “blessed country”, its economy showing growth when most did not.
“We need to believe in the future of the Philippines. We can be better. The government can be honest. We can accept the cards that have been drawn for us and not cry repeatedly about the past,” Purisima told those present. “I believe we are a blessed country despite years of mismanagement.”
While he acknowledged several challenges that stood in the way of becoming competitive in the global market, Purisima also wanted to point out many things that are making the country attractive.
Among these are the Filipino people themselves. “The true asset of this country is our people,” he said, noting the remittances and BPO revenues that have allowed the country to have its dollar reserves at such a high level.
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He considers another “sweet spot” the country’s population, the bulk being between the working ages of 15 and 60. He noted this demographic will remain within 15 to 30 years more, which will be a plus in time for the Asean integration in 2015.
Their ability to speak English only adds to the country’s attractiveness and having been the only country in Southeast Asia with hispanic influence, Purisima said this could open the doors to make the country a natural gateway of trade with Latin America in this region.
Aside from its natural beauty, Purisima also noted the country’s mineral wealth, especially in Mindanao. He said a successful venture in agriculture, mining and tourism in Mindanao, which is rarely hit by typhoons, could add three percent to the country’s growth. This, he said, is why the agreement made with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front should not be underestimated.
Its location in the center of Southeast Asia also helps, with this region becoming “the most dynamic economic region” in the world.
Globally, Purisima said the Philippines is in the middle of a period of transition.
These transitions include the move of economic power and wealth from the west to the east, generational transitions from baby boomers to generation XYZ, and leadership transitions, from the recently concluded US elections to China’s political changes.
“All of this will affect how our world will be in the next few years.”