Our country
has once
again shown
its
resiliency,
posting
positive
growth –
through
modest in
the past
year despite
the global
economic
crisis and
the threat
of worldwide
AH1N1
pandemic
which have
affected
even the
biggest
economies in
the past
year.
Millions of
jobs and
livelihood
were lost
worldwide,
creating
uncertainty
in our own
economy. Our
strong
macroeconomic
fundamentals,
however,,
have proven
beneficial
in helping
the country
weather the
storm.
These recent
developments
call for
urgent
responses to
take
advantage of
the global
economic
rebound and
prepare the
regions for
new
challenges.
The
Regional
Development
Agenda (RDA)
can thus be
the roadmap
of the
regions for
development
in the next
ten years.
I commend
the NEDA
Regional
Offices,
with the
able
guidance of
the NEDA
Regional
Development
Office-Central
Office, for
preparing
the RDAs.
The RDA
serves as
NEDA’s
contribution
to the next
administration
as it
prepares the
development
platform for
the regions.
I hope that
the HEARTS
concept
which I have
shared with
NEDA and
have been
advocating
to my fellow
economic
managers,
would be
able to
provide a
sound basis
for future
programs
that would
encourage
social
stability
and economic
advancement
of the
regions.
Let us all
work
together to
attain this
common goal
towards a
stronger
economy.
Mabuhay
tayong lahat!
