Sunday, November 12, 2006
Arroyo vows to improve RP ranking in world dev’t index
BUOYED by the boost in the country’s fiscal position, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised on Saturday to enhance on the Philippines 84th ranking in the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI).
Arroyo stressed the need to raise more revenues and increase the productivity of the people to uplift the lives of the Filipinos, especially the poorest of the poor.
"I am determined to raise the rankings of the Philippines in the UN human development index on the back of our steady gains in the economy," she said during the 70th anniversary celebration of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) held Saturday morning at Malacañang’s Heroes Hall.
She added economic growth, competitiveness and social justice "are our key thrusts to a better future."
Arroyo congratulated the government revenue collecting agencies for the P54 billion raised in nine months from the effective implementation of the Reformed Value Added Tax (RVAT) Law as she extolled the taxpayers for paying the right taxes.
"We will continue to increase our tax collection efficiency, seal revenue leakages and maintain disciplined spending as we clear more hurdles along the road and open broader opportunities for enterprise and jobs," she said.
"We shall wield new revenues to accord every Filipino a life of dignity, productivity and human security against the backdrop of larger reforms in governance," she added.
Arroyo said she saw the need to "extol the sense of productivity and excellence" of the Filipinos who keep the country’s strong niche in the global market. She said the P22 billion saved by the government from paying foreign debts next year would be allotted to the delivery of enhanced social services to the people.
Of that savings, P16 billion has been earmarked for education, P5 billion for health services and P1 billion for social welfare. "Our people have led the march back to our fiscal health, they will enjoy our first gains," she said.
"Our immediate objective is to give the poorest of the poor of our people the basic amenities of food, water, electricity, health services, education and decent jobs with which they will improve the quality of their lives," she said.
She vowed anew to put the Philippines at par with the First World countries in the next two decades by "loosening the grip of poverty at the grassroots."
The HDI ranked the Philippines as 84th among 177 countries in the index. It rates countries based on wealth, life expectancy and education. Norway was adjudged the best country in which to live.
The Philippines’ position has not moved from last year’s ranking but it is better than its neighbors Indonesia (108), Vietnam (109), Cambodia (129) and Myanmar (130). (JMR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (November 12, 2006 issue)
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