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Friday, September 02, 2005
Quisumbing tells Filipinos, ‘help the economy’
Self-made businessman Norberto Quisumbing Jr. is encouraging Filipinos, especially those endowed with more resources, to “do something” to be able to contribute to the development of the country’s economy, instead of just relying on the government.
But the government should also do its part to boost the morale and confidence of investors and entrepreneurs by streamlining policies to provide a social and economic environment, where business and industry can prosper, the chairman of the Norkis group of companies also said.
“We are facing complex, economic and social changes—the continued devaluation of the peso, increasing competition from foreign goods, festering insurgency and increase incidence of violence, such as kidnappings, robbery and the drug trade. But united, we will prosper as a nation,” Quisumbing said during a conferment ceremony at the Center for the Performing Arts of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) last Friday.
Recognition
USJ-R has conferred the doctor of humanities, honoris causa on Quisumbing for “touching the lives of many people and working zealously to improve the quality of human life.”
The recognition is the highest honor a university could give to a person. The award is given to those who have achieved great success in their chosen field, as well as great success in their commitment and sharing to their community.
USJ-R gave Quisumbing the honor because he has “performed his profession as an outstanding corporate leader and a responsible citizen with extraordinary skills, determination, commitment and respectability. He is a value-oriented partner in education through the Punla Inc., among others, which is a nationwide scholarship program that started in 1988 and is intended for deserving and indigent public school elementary graduates.”
The university also recognized Quisumbing for his contributions as a “socio-civic and community leader.”
Quisumbing said the Norkis group, in its 46th year of operation this year, is reaffirming its commitment to make significant contributions, with honesty and prudence, to the economic development of the communities where it operates and to the country, in general.
Norkis
“Our business grew and we have made significant contributions in the economic development of the communities where we operate. We achieved all of these despite the economic downturns and without any special perks or accommodations from the government,” he said.
From just a five-man team in 1962, Norkis now has a workforce of more than 5,000. The group’s aggregate monthly payroll, benefits and incentives amount to about P60 million.
Quisumbing said some 5,000 people also derive their livelihood through Norkis’ contractors and independent dealers, creating another income stream into the local economy of about P40 million a month.
With regard to people in government, Quisumbing said the country needs to have the “right leaders, armed with a strong national philosophy, guided by a clear mission and anchored on deeply rooted values of nationalism and patriotism.”
He said the country should relentlessly wage a campaign against graft and corruption, not only in government, but in the society as a whole. (JBN )
(September 2, 2005 issue)
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