President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.(FILE) Screengrab from RTVM Malacañang / Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday called for a “green” and “climate-resilient” Philippine economy that would meet the immediate needs of the Filipino people.
He made the call in his keynote speech at the 55th annual meeting of the board of governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
“We must develop an economy that is green, that is sustainable, truly climate resilient and responsive to people’s immediate needs,” Marcos said.
“It is an economy that takes into account the ecosystem from which we harness our sources,” he added.
The President called on the private sector to work with the government toward a “better normal” in the new post-pandemic global economy.
ADB assistance
Marcos Jr. praised the ADB for providing loans, technical assistance, and equity members to promote social and economic development, calling it a “steadfast partner” in achieving the Philippines’ development goals.
“It is certainly my duty to ensure that the government remains committed to the efficient and effective utilization of this institution’s assistance for the full benefit of all Filipinos,” he said.
Also, he thanked the ADB for its efforts in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that it provided a grant of $3 million to buy medical supplies for the Philippines.
In addition to sharing the same vision, the President said that the government has been able to progress with its infrastructure, social reforms, and community development projects with the help of the ADB.
“I am truly excited to see the outcome of this meeting as we set sail towards a better tomorrow that is more resilient, more inclusive, more sensitive to our people’s needs and more aware of climate change and the crisis that it brings with it,” he said.
ADB and the Philippine government’s relationship will only “grow stronger” in the coming years with mutual cooperation, he said.
“This way, we will become living witnesses to the better world that we have worked hard not only in ourselves and our communities but also for the generations to come,” he said.
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