MALACAñANG on Saturday called on the public to help the administration in laying down the foundations “of a prosperous and peaceful nation” while setting aside the politics that tended to slow down economic growth.
Saying the “economy is on a roll,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque expressed that “the prospects for the future look bright.”
“Let us continue to sustain the pace of our economic growth by improving governance and setting aside politics that tends to divide the nation.” Roque said.
Roque expressed confidence in the country’s firm economic policies after the Asian Development Bank upgraded its growth outlook for 2017, while debt watcher Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings also adjusted upward its economic growth forecast for the Philippines this year.
The liberation of Marawi will also spur economic activities in Mindanao, he added.
The five-month siege of Marawi by the ISIS-inspired Maute terror group ended in late October.
The implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act—together with higher investment in infrastructure—on the other hand, is expected to prop up the domestic economy in 2018, Roque stressed.
He also expressed confidence in the local stock market’s record-breaking run on the final trading day for 2017 when it closed at 8,558.42.
In the latest SWS survey, 96 percent of Filipinos expressed they would welcome 2018 with hope instead of fear.
Also on Saturday, Roque thanked the public for the “good” net satisfaction rating the Cabinet received in the SWS survey.
Roque said this would “inspire and motivate” President Rodrigo Duterte’s officials to work harder in 2018.
“We have to point out that this figure, considered ‘good’ by the polling firm, is the highest net satisfaction rating given to the Cabinet since 1990,” Roque said in a statement.
“This will therefore inspire and motivate the members of the President’s official family to work double time in bringing a comfortable life for all Filipinos under a trustworthy government,” he added.