INTRODUCTION
I am pleased to join you today in marking the formal transfer of the Senate office to its new home here at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building.

The poet TS Eliot had written, “Home is where one starts from.” Indeed, today’s event signifies fresh beginnings for the Philippine Senate — from where the whole country could take giant leaps to achieve our national goals.

Together, we as leaders, and we as people, have come so far and have accomplished so much. The remarkable growth momentum that we are now experiencing is a product of closer cooperation and better understanding between the executive and the legislative, especially in the implementation of our social and economic reform agenda for the nation.

This amity makes it possible for us to take a forward step each day toward the fulfillment of our socio-economic goals. From today on, we could take steadier, perhaps greater, steps.

For those who have worked days and nights to affect a successful transfer, this day is especially significant.
COMMENDATIONS
On behalf of our government and people, I congratulate Senate President Ernesto Maceda and the members of the Senate for making the big decision. Chairman/Senator Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. and the members of the Oversight Committee on the Senate transfer, and all the people who have worked behind the scenes to finish a difficult and long-standing task likewise deserve our special commendation.

I am certain that the pains, the disappointments and the pressure most of you have gone through in the search for a new home for the Senate will reap ample dividends in terms of our people’s appreciation.

The Senate’s decision to move from its former location, for many years the home of the Senate, and of both houses of Congress during an earlier period, now makes more spaces available for the National Museum as it prepares for the Centennial of Philippine Independence in June 1998. This, to our people, is the higher significance of this occasion.
A DYNAMIC CONGRESS
This is also a very opportune time to congratulate, on behalf of the Filipino people, the legislative branch for consistently giving priority to the enactment of measures that are vital to the success of our economic aspirations and to the enhancement of our social equity and cohesion.

From the beginning of the Ramos administration, we have pursued economic and social reforms that would create new opportunities for business, eliminate obstacles brought about by outdated policies to our economic prosperity, and provide for wider democratization in the enjoyment of the benefits of progress.

All these form the basis for our campaign against poverty — the poverty of the Filipino nation and that of the Filipino family.

The invaluable guidance and support of the senate and the entire congress to vital economic and social programs have speeded up our growth and enhanced the quality of our economy.

Among the recent laws that have fueled our momentum and made the country attractive for investments and trade are the amendments to the Foreign Investments Act, the Excise Tax Law, the amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer (B-O-T) Law, the Expanded Value-Added Tax Law, the Oil Deregulation Law, and the amendment to the Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
CLOSING
In closing, let me say that with the inauguration of its new home, our people anticipate that, together with the house of representatives, the senate will continue to be vigorous and productive in enacting much-needed laws that will take us closer to our social and economic goals.

Despite differences in opinion on various issues of public interest and in political affiliations, we of the executive branch and you of the legislature do have a common duty, and that is — to render unconditional service to our people by providing a sound social, political, and economic environment that will insure sustained Philippine progress and development well into the 21st century.

In the fulfillment of this solemn mission, we must remain united and dedicated.

Thank you and good day.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay kayong lahat!