INTRODUCTION
I thank you, ladies and gentlemen of this multi-sectoral conference-workshop for presenting me with this eloquent statement of your proposals for urgent action by the incoming administration.
It is a testimony to your deep concern and understanding of the problems of the hour that in just a day of meeting, you have come up with this proposed agenda. unlike the usual conferences, which are embroiled in debate and long discussions, consensus has been quickly reached and sealed.
That to me Is indicative of how long all of us have been reflecting on the problems facing the nation. We know them in our homes. we know them in our offices. We know them in our streets.
And we have also long known the answers — except that the massive machinery of government has not been quick enough to make the decisions and apply them.
I say to you now that I will fully study these measures you have proposed. And I will consider it in light of the urgent agenda that has been forming in my mind these past few weeks.
As the hour nears for decision on the things my administration must and will do in its first days and months in office, your proposals will doubtlessly help me to define the goals, priorities, the directions, the strategies, and the actions to be taken.
And when day one at last sets in — when the time for rolling up our sleeves higher is at hand — you may be sure that I will call on you for help.
I have been speaking for sometime now about the principle of the empowerment of the people as the bedrock of my program and my administration. Let me just emphasize here one aspect of that principle, because it is so crucial to our success in the days ahead.
To lead effectively, a president does not only harness the powers vested in him by law. He must also empower others. He must enable them to act, and act effectively.
Programs die on paper when the powers and the means to make them come alive are not shared.
Systems fail to function when the channels of implementation are clogged by responsibilities imperfectly understood and authority poorly distributed down the line.
Responding to suggestions aired during the workshop, I ask you to help me organize a council of economic advisers composed of respected leaders of various sectors. The council will be composed of private sector representatives with cabinet members concerned made available as resource persons to provide governmental perspectives on various issues. The president will meet regularly monthly, if necessary with the said council.
In what we’re going to do in the first hundred days of my presidency, nothing is clearer to me than the fact that power must flow from the office of the president into the sinews of government and the private sector. while decisions must be made by the president, the work must go on down the line. Everyone must take part, or our agenda will perish on the vine.
Ladies and gentlemen, this encounter is but the first of many we’re going to have. as you give this proposed agenda produced by this conference, so will you receive from me continued appeals for your participation in meeting the final agenda for action we will adopt.
In closing, accept again my profound thanks for the generosity of your forum and your counsel. You will hear from me soon.
Again thumbs up tayong lahat!! We pray and look up to the good lord for his blessings, but let us commit to him that we the leaders, we the Filipino people will perform and achieve!!
Maraming salamat po!!