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50th Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs
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Welcome Address
by Mr. Antonio D. Kalaw, Jr.
President, Development Academy of the Philippines and NPO Head for the Philippines
The Honorable Eduardo R. Ermita, Executive Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines;
Mr. Shigeo Takenaka, Secretary-General of the Asian Productivity Organization;
Ms. Margarita Songco, Deputy Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority and APO Director for the Philippines;
My fellow NPO Heads from APO member countries;
Distinguished participants, colleagues, ladies, and gentlemen:
On behalf of the officers and staff of the Development Academy of the Philippines, the Philippine government, and my fellow Filipinos, I would like to extend our warmest welcome to the Philippines and to the 50th Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs. We are pleased to see you all here, undaunted by the two tropical storms that brought about extensive flooding and devastation to infrastructure and agricultural crops in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon Island only couple of weeks ago.
The first, tropical storm Ketsana, submerged most parts of the metropolis and nearby Rizal province. It was the worst flooding in 40 years, killing 288 people and leaving thousands homeless. Eight days later, the second, tropical storm Parma, caused flooding and landslides in the northern part of the country and lingered for seven days, seeming to enjoy the famed Filipino hospitality. This is no laughing matter, but we Filipinos have developed a knack for rising above difficulties and have become resilient to the challenges that constantly come our way. Calamities like this bring out the best in everyone as the bayanihan spirit or volunteerism surfaced through the outpouring of help not just from fellow Filipinos but from people in other countries around the globe.
It is a privilege and honor for the Philippines, particularly for the DAP, to be hosting yet another important event for the APO this year. We hosted the 5th Eco-Products International Fair earlier this year which achieved a number of record firsts. It was the EPIF with the most exhibitors and the first to be visited by a head of state. No less than Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, along with several cabinet members, visited the fair. This is a clear manifestation of the Philippine government’s commitment to the cause of Green Productivity.
Although this is not the first time that we have hosted the WSM, we feel doubly pressured to ensure that this 50th one will be able to achieve its objective of finalizing the APO Program Plan for 2010 as well as reviewing the priority projects for 2011 and 2012. More importantly, we are gathered here in Manila to chart the possible directions the APO should take over the next decade to strengthen its role in the region in the light of the challenges brought about by the global economic crisis and climate change phenomena. The APO should be able to adapt to the emerging global challenges so that it can create more impact in areas where its resources and services are critically needed.
We look forward to lively exchanges of ideas and productive discussions among the delegates in the next three days. I hope that you will have a pleasant stay in Manila and hopefully, return to your home countries with nothing but beautiful memories of the Philippines.
Mabuhay and good day.