Sunday, December 21, 2008 Arroyo to Pinoys: Unite to face economic crisis
ADMITTING that the government cannot get the job done alone, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appealed to Filipinos Saturday to unite in facing problems caused by a global economic meltdown.
Speaking before a gathering of tricycle drivers in Quezon City, Arroyo said the government has already been doing its part to insulate people from the effects of the crisis.
"Two-thirds of the globe is in recession but we are not. So we have to unite now and cast aside our differences and find ways to cope with the crisis," she said in a speech Saturday before Quezon City-based tricycle drivers at an event for the conversion of their vehicles to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
She added: "We cannot deny there is a global economic crisis. The challenge to us is not to let the world crisis become a Philippine crisis. In times like this, the government is working to fight the effects of inflation and the weakening economies of other countries."
During these troubled times, Arroyo said the role of government is to insulate the Filipino people from shocks and economic pressures. "Filipinos must remain hopeful and face the New Year with confidence."
One way to help cope with the hard times, said Arroyo, is to use value-added tax (VAT) collections to subsidize conversion of tricycle engines to use LPG.
She thanked the transport sector for agreeing to roll back their fares last December 15 when fuel prices went down.
During the ceremony at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City, the President awarded free conversions for Quezon City tricycles at P15,000 each or a total of P15 million.
Represented at the event were 300 tricycle operators and drivers associations. (JMR/Sunnex)
