Saturday, October 04, 2008 Tulabut: Secretary Recto on Clark By Noel G. Tulabut My Palm Notes
NEW YORK (Via COMCLARK) -- Diversify your markets.
This is how Neda Secretary Ralph Recto would advise Philippine-based manufacturers, especially exporters, in dealing with the US-borne financial crisis.
I had the chance to talk with the Economics major from University of Asia and the Pacific when he backed up President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her presentation of mid-term report of the Philippines on Millennium Development Goals (MDG) at a High-Level Dialogue at the United Nations (UN). The MDGs, insofar as the Philippines is concerned, are Neda's lookouts.
He briefly discussed with this writer his thoughts on how manufacturers should face the looming economic crunch.
For example, he cited Clark-based exporters to shift their focus to China, which he described as "giant neighbor." Probably because of the growing market there, Secretary Recto said exporters should set their sights to other developed economies like China.
He even expressed fears that with the financial crisis in the US, Texas Instruments -- which will soon open its expansion plants in Clark -- may have to deal with flat growth rates for the semiconductor firm.
If there is a bit of consolation that he saw that is taking place however for Clark, it is the growing interests of oil-rich nations on airport-related projects. He cited in particular the investments of Kuwait and Gulf Link (KGL), which is putting up a US$1.025 billion logistics hub at the airport complex.
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The good secretary walked with me and a staff from the Philippine Mission to the UN for a few blocks from the UN headquarters in First Avenue in Manhattan District of this city. Mind you, he was without a bodyguard or an aide as he exited the UN building and strolled the breezy blocks of this busy city.
He did not mind discussing Philippine and US economic plight even at a street corner. He was very accommodating, giving assurances even at some point to a PMUN staff who hails from Batangas that her request for a concrete pavement for a barangay road would be facilitated. The former senator, of course, is from that province and his wife, actress-turned-politician, continues to wow people with her accomplishments as local chief executive.
He did mention Clark and his role in the passage of the Freeport Law. But at the very onset of the subject matter, I had to cut him and tell him how we (as Capampangan, as Clark-based worker) recognize his effort in the Senate and in return helped him in his reelection bid as a matter of gratitude.
And I am just so glad that he knew about our contributions too and how disappointed we all were when he did not make it back to Senate.
In our talks, I did mention too to him Sonny Lopez, his fraternity brod -- whom we both consider still as a friend.
He sends his warm regards to all who work, live, play in and around Clark, including Mr. Benny Ricafort and Mr. Chichos Luciano, president and CEO of CDC and CIAC, respectively.
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The sights and sounds of New York remain to be vibrant and colorful as ever. With my fourth year of coverage of the UN, I never fail to get excited seeing and feeling this city that never sleeps.
The big yellow taxis (now with growing number of SUV fleet, mostly Ford Escape), the towering bridges of Queensboro, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Washington, the subway, the MTA buses, and yes of course the busy streets that teem with countless people every minute.
Talk about people, this coverage would not be possible without the assistance of the Cato family from Angeles City. Tatang Emer and Mama Lulu are just so gracious and hospitable.
They would not let me leave their humble abode in Queens without having me eat a warm meal that they themselves prepare for me. At one point, Tatang Emer had to get up as early as four in the morning to cook breakfast and prepare a sandwich for me as I had to catch a flight.
Their acts of kindness remind me a lot of my departed parents. How I thank God for them and son Elmer and his wife Doc Melanie for their accommodation and friendship.
I have learned to move in and out of this city through them. Sometime last week I got benighted (about 11 p.m.) from attending a dinner for media hosted by Malacanang in Manhattan.
I was a bit afraid to go home alone then, taking the late night train back to Queens. Good thing Consul Elmer taught me where and what train to transfer on after we split from the initial subway ride back home.
My thanks too to a lot of US-based friends from Mabalacat who helped me in this coverage like Alex Gomez and Bong Ocampo. My nephew Lemuel Collada and wife Grace, and my sister Lou Collada.
