Aquino speaks of global people power at UN assembly

MANILA -- Representing the country for the first time as head of state in the 65th general assembly of the United Nations (UN), President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III talked about solidarity and responsibility towards progress.

Aquino said he carries the hope that the more than 150 leaders present in the assembly could find ways to make a "better life possible for all".

“It is my earnest hope—and in the greatest interest of humanity—that we harness the energies of dialogue, solidarity, and communal responsibility, so that a global People Power toward equitable progress may be achieved.”

The President also touched on matters on climate change, social justice and public-private partnerships towards the attainment of the millennium development goals (MDGS) in 2015, a year before he steps down as president.

Aquino was earlier criticized by progressive groups on his administration's pledge of pushing for public private partnerships.

At the UN general assembly in New York, Aquino said a strengthened regulatory system whereby private enterprises are allowed to thrive while ensuring their social responsibilities is needed in order to rise to the challenge of achieving the MDGs.

"Our administration’s pledge: To channel the gains we might reap from Public Private Partnerships into social services, like those in health, education, and poverty alleviation," he stressed. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)