Palace hails MBC survey result

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang welcomed yesterday the “vote of confidence” in the Aquino administration as shown in the Makati Business Club’s 2011 Executive Outlook Survey showing that 64 percent of the respondents acknowledged that the business environment had improved over the past year.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the survey, conducted from July 19 to Aug. 2, showed a more overwhelming majority – 76 percent of the respondents – believed that the economy would perform even better over the next 12 months.

“The MBC members likewise cited agencies tasked with enhancing the Philippines’ business environment, and it is worth mentioning that the performance of the Department of Health, a pillar of our social service agenda, has garnered their praise. The MBC members’ optimism and positive outlook on the country reaffirm that the government’s efforts to level the playing field in all sectors and secure greater opportunity for inclusive growth are bearing fruit,” Lacierda said.

The administration also noted that the MBC shared the sentiments of the rest of the Filipino people, as 80 percent of the respondents expressed belief that graft and corruption charges should be pursued against former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“We are also united in the view that although the nation has achieved palpable progress, there is much work left for us to do. It is worth noting that the agencies with the lowest net satisfaction scores are those where corruption has been most deeply entrenched. We are hard at work to root out corruption in all of our agencies, and the next couple of months will no doubt manifest the reforms we have established, beginning with the appointment of our new ombudsman, Conchita Carpio-Morales,” Lacierda said.

“The support and encouragement extended to us by the Makati Business Club, the latest from the Filipino people, can only cement our nation’s collective determination to remain on the straight and righteous path toward equitable progress,” he said.