VIDEO:

FULL TRANSCRIPT:

Speech
of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
During his inspection of the LinkSy IT Park

[Delivered at Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on September 7, 2011]

Congresswoman Josy Limkaichong; Congressman George Arnaiz; Governor Roel Degamo; Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria; Mr. Susano Sy; Mr. Alex Sy; Mr. Danford Sy; members of the Cabinet present: Secretaries Roxas, Alcala, Domingo, Robredo, Lacierda, Llamas, [Undersecretaries] Valte, and Quezon; Atty. Ipe Remollo; heads of the academe, business sectors; other local government officials present; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen:

A very pleasant good afternoon to each and every one.

Problema po, itong speech ko, Bisaya ho pala kaagad: Maayong adlaw sa inyong tanan. [Applause]

It has been a while since I last paid a visit to this wonderful city, and I am glad that I have been given this opportunity to return. This is my first time back as President of the Philippines, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters of Dumaguete for my landslide victory here. [Applause] I distinctly remember the campaign sortie I attended here. It was I think my second time in Dumaguete at that point in time, and I was surprised to see how beautiful the city really is. But what surprised me even more was the overwhelming amount of people gathered in the Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park to greet and support me—then a member of the opposition. It was a turning point for me in the campaign. It was on that day then, in this very city, when I realized that I could win (if not that I would certainly win), and that all of us, together, can reignite the fire of hope in this country.

When we assumed office a little more than a year ago, we had a dream for all present and future Filipino workers: to create enough opportunities in this country, such that our own people will no longer feel forced to leave their homes and their families just to find decent-paying jobs—that when they do choose to work overseas, it will be out of choice, not necessity.

This LinkSy IT Park is an embodiment of that dream. This is not the first IT facility I have visited in my term, but each time I am given the opportunity to witness a project like this being undertaken, I become even more optimistic that we can reach our goal sooner rather than later.

As early as January, we expect that this project will begin to make itself felt—you construct things very fast here in Dumaguete City.

More people from Dumaguete and from around the region will have access to decent employment. More Filipinos and, specifically, more Negrenses, will be able to receive a decent salary without having to be so far from their families; without leaving behind the comfort and beauty of their home country, or even their home province; and without being too far to enjoy a peaceful stroll along Dumaguete’s breathtaking Boulevard at the end of their work days.

This is the future that this IT Park promises the people; and more than that, the new jobs this facility will bring about will have a positive effect on the economy. The citizens here will have more money to buy this region’s quality goods, to eat in the great restaurants around Dumaguete City, and to send their children to the region’s renowned educational institutions. This park will benefit more than the people behind it; it will benefit the entire region, and ultimately, the entire country.

The success of ITO and BPO companies established in the Philippines has been well documented. The industry generated a staggering 8.9 billion dollars in revenue in 2010 alone, and produced full-time employment for more than half a million people. Some expect that this year’s revenues will hit the 11 billion dollar mark, and that the industry will be able to give 640,000 direct jobs. The National Outsourcing Association of the UK, from 2008 to 2010, also gave the Philippines the distinction of being the Most Outstanding Outsourcing Destination in the world.

I am confident that this IT Park will achieve success on the back of the pool of competent graduates from excellent nearby universities that they can choose to hire. Once completed, this park can surely become a significant contributor to our country’s reputation in the BPO industry.

This is why I am here: to recognize the efforts of those involved in this project and to call on them to continue their hard work—from the administrative staff to the engineers, to the IT-BPO industry workers they will eventually hire. In return, I assure you that, under my watch, the government will be doing the same. We will continue working extra hours to foster a business environment in this country that will give companies such as the July Development Corporation more reasons to create jobs here.

Together, let us continue showing the world the efficiency, the skill, and the creativity embodied by Filipinos. Through the many innovative businessmen who have chosen to set up shop in the Philippines, through the skilled workers we produce who are admired by employers from all over the world, and even through the artistic prowess of its citizens like Dumaguete’s own Edith Tiempo, we see the capacity of the Filipino people to succeed in an increasingly competitive global milieu.

Let us build on the achievements of those who have come before us toward assuring our families, our countrymen, and us a brighter future within our country’s borders. Together, let us show the world that the Filipino is indeed and truly world class.

Thank you, one and all. Good day, more success.