Despite the recent stock-market upheavals caused by external factors, the Philippine economy is still expected to be among the most resilient in the region, thanks to strong economic fundamentals and around $50 billion in annual foreign inflows.
This was the statement of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor for the Monetary Stability Sector Diwa C. Gunigundo, who assured the public that the two mentioned factors would help protect the peso from further fluctuation.
Guinigundo said that the country receives $24 billion to $25 billion a year from remittances and about the same amount from business-process outsourcing revenues, with income from exports and tourism—which he called “quite resilient”—being added bonuses.
He cited the “fundamental health of the Philippine economy,” pointing to its strong banking system, surplus in current account and balance of payments, and other factors that contribute to the stability of the system.
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The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) continues its national ambulance-donation activities this month, with visits scheduled to the provinces of Batangas, Leyte, Ilocos Sur, Misamis Oriental and Zamboanga del Norte.
Under this particular program, the agency’s goal is to furnish each municipality, city and government hospital with an ambulance, upon request and compliance
with the necessary documentary requirements.
It is heartwarming to visit different places around our country and hear testimonials as to how the PCSO’s emergency vehicles provide significant and vital support.
As Benguet Gov. Nestor B. Fongwan told us last week when we delivered 27 ambulances to three northern provinces, “…the mobile clinic that the PCSO donated to us before helped us save lives during the last calamity
[Typhoon Ineng].”
The PCSO funds its medical- and healthcare-related programs through its Lotto and other game revenues. We thank the public for their continued strong support of our products, which enable us to help many of our
kababayan around the country.
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Another PCSO major endeavor this year is the expansion of its branch networks, now at 47 from the initial 25 when I and my fellow PCSO directors assumed office in 2010.
If all things go well, we will be opening two more branches this year, if not more, and double the number of branches that serve our countrymen nationwide.
The goal is to put up a branch office in every province, insofar that this is feasible. We are about halfway to reaching this goal, and we invite local government units that wish to host a PCSO branch office to partner with us by providing us a free space in a government building in their area, while we take care of personnel and everything else.
At present, all of PCSO’s branches are housed in free spaces donated or lent rent-free by LGUs, working together in “G to G” (government to government) synergy. This allows the agency to keep costs down; otherwise, our branch-expansion strategy would be made less feasible and affordable.
We thank our current LGU partners, and look forward to teaming up with others in the near future, as we continue to serve our kababayan right where they are.
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While in Baguio last week, we visited the BenCab Museum in Tuba, Benguet, one of Baguio’s most famed tourist attractions and a haven for the art aficionado.
Established by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, the split-level building houses many of his important artworks, as well as exhibits of other artists.
The museum is currently showcasing until October 4 the exhibit Four Play II, with works of Virgilio Aviado, Justin Nuyda and Edwin Wilwayco, and four “interaction” pieces of the three artists along with BenCab himself.
The interaction pieces are interesting, because they combine visual elements from each of the artists in one painting.
BenCab Museum also keeps on permanent display important historical artifacts, such as antique Cordillera furniture, baskets, weapons, and other functional and ritual objects.
One of the most striking features of the place is the three-story wall of bulul, or carved wooden rice-granary guardians, their dark wood providing a stark contrast against the white walls.
Cap your visit to the museum with a cup of hot chocolate or mountain-grown coffee at the basement coffee shop, Café Sabel, while enjoying the view of the lush greenery that covers the hills.
Bring home souvenirs of art books, paper products, textiles and crafts from the museum gift shop, and remind yourself to return often, to refresh the spirit and renew the soul.
Atty. Rojas is vice chairman and general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.