Kerry thanks PH business leaders

UNITED STATES Secretary of State John Kerry met with Philippine and local U.S. business leaders in Manila on December 17, thanking the private sector for its work in the wake of typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), welcoming the prospect of the Philippines’ joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks, and discussing how to advance the U.S.-Philippine economic relationship.

American Chamber of Commerce President Rhicke Jennings welcomed the secretary to the gathering of top Philippine and local American business leaders.

Kerry began by thanking the business leaders for their efforts in saving lives and bringing relief to victims of typhoon Yolanda. In the days after the storm, he noted, local U.S. and Philippine companies such as Coca-Cola, Dow, FedEx, Procter & Gamble, and Citibank made vital contributions of relief supplies, and the business community continues to engage in initiatives to boost the local economy and provide livelihood to families affected by the disaster.

“We’re really grateful for those kinds of efforts. That is great corporate citizenship, global citizenship, and we’re proud that the United States of America and American citizens that aren’t corporations reached out with not just their hearts and their words, but with their actions,” said Kerry.

Kerry remarked that the Philippines had one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in the first half of the year. With the U.S. and Philippine economic partnership, he said, “we can ensure that the Philippines continues in that direction in spite of everything that the nation has endured and lost over the course of the last months.”

Kerry emphasized the importance of good trade relations, which will be furthered by the TPP. The Philippines, he said, has a “winning combination” for economic success: “free markets and free people and a free marketplace of ideas.”

Kerry then continued his trip, meeting with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto del Rosario and President Benigno S. Aquino III before traveling to Tacloban on December 18 to witness relief efforts first-hand.

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become...

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel...

2020 Laoag City Traffic Code

Republic of the Philippines Province of Ilocos Norte CITY OF LAOAG SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 58 TH REGULAR SESSION OF THE 11 TH SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF LAOAG HELD AT THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD SESSION HALL, LAOAG CITY ON OCTOBER 14, 2020. PRESENT: 1. Hon. Vicentito M. Lazo City Vice-Mayor/Presiding Officer Hon. Juan Conrado A. Respicio II S.P....

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog