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Gloria heaps praises on BI chief for helping boost RP’s GDP

By Conrado Ching

10/25/2009

President Arroyo has cited Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan for helping boost the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) this year, despite the worldwide recession, through the enactment of pro-investment policies and reforms that increased tourist arrivals, enhanced business development and created employment opportunities.

Libanan received an award from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for his “commitment to excellence and good governance during the 35th Philippine Conference and Expo held last Wednesday at the Manila Hotel.

Mrs. Arroyo, in her speech, said the resilient reforms made by Libanan at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) was the “best example” of the government and private sector working together to spur the country’s economic development.

“Our strength comes from our networks. Networking has enhanced our competitive edge,” Mrs. Arroyo stressed.

The Chief Executive added the executive order creating the Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) as proposed by Libanan came at a time when the country was affected by global financial crisis.

Arroyo said with the recent havoc wrought by the two typhoons that hit the country recently, it is timely for foreign executives and companies employing foreign expatriates to avail themselves of the SVEG and provide employment opportunities to help Filipino workers in typhoon-hit areas.

Lawyer Miguel Varela, PCCI chairman, said the visa upon arrival program, together with the other reforms initiated by Libanan at the bureau, has been instrumental in helping foreign businessmen gain confidence in the Philippines as investment site in Asia.

Varela said Libanan transformed the bureau into an agent of reform that helped business executives in its task to help the government entice foreign capitals.

“Commissioner Libanan has successfully helped the country to be the preferred investment destination for foreign businessmen though his innovative approach such as the job visa,” Varela said.

He added the various reforms initiated by Libanan at the BI have increased the arrival of tourists in the country, created employment opportunities for Filipinos and formed a long-lasting business cooperation between the government and the private sector.

The SVEG program, which is a joint initiative of the BI and PCCI to help generate jobs and develop the tourism industry, provides indefinite stay to foreign businessmen with investments in companies that employ at least 10 regular and full-time Filipino workers.