00:00 In his day, President Bongbong Marcos discussed several issues facing the country
00:05 at the 10th Asia Summit in Singapore.
00:08 Including the debt of the Philippines and the progress towards the development of the agriculture sector.
00:13 Jonathan Andales was there live.
00:16 Jonathan.
00:25 Emil, here in Singapore, President Bongbong Marcos had his 66th birthday today.
00:30 Earlier, one of the things he did was to invite investors and businessmen here
00:35 to invite them to visit the Philippines.
00:38 Just after the opening of the Milken Institute 10th Asia Summit in Singapore,
00:47 the President apologized immediately.
00:49 He was late for almost half an hour because his luggage was late.
00:54 Allow me to apologize for being quite so late.
00:57 We have just come from Manila and mix-ups with luggage and such.
01:03 So, I did not think it would be appropriate for me to come in my shorts.
01:10 So, I thought I should wait for my suit.
01:14 The Asia Summit is a gathering of industry leaders, policy makers, and experts
01:19 to discuss the issues facing the world today.
01:22 In his speech, the President invited businessmen to visit the Philippines
01:26 including the Maharlika Investment Fund.
01:29 The President said that they are setting this up because they are now in charge of the country's debt.
01:34 We also started to worry about borrowings.
01:36 Although our borrowings in terms of the racial GDP are not as high as maybe our neighboring countries.
01:45 We are standing at about 62.3% up to 63% of GDP.
01:52 But for us, that is high.
01:54 The President also increased the economy's growth in 2022 to 7.6%.
02:00 It was the fastest growth since 1976, the time of his father.
02:05 The President also asked what is the state of the country's economy after COVID-19.
02:10 So, we have continued to develop our agricultural sector.
02:14 And the aspiration once again is that we are able to provide sufficient supply of food
02:21 at prices that people can afford.
02:24 And that's still, we are not there yet.
02:26 But we have made many important steps to start that.
02:30 Emil, the President is here with us, First Lady Lizarra Neto Marcos,
02:39 House Speaker Martin Romualdez, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual,
02:43 and several big businessmen in the Philippines.
02:46 Tomorrow until Saturday, the President is expected to help other investors and business leaders here.
02:53 And he was also able to watch the F1 race.
02:56 From here in Singapore, for GMA Integrated News, Jonathan Andal, reporting for 24 Hours.
03:02 Thank you very much, Jonathan Andal.
03:05 My fellow countrymen, join us for 24 Hours.
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03:12 For those who are watching abroad, visit GMA Pinoy TV at www.gmanews.tv.
03:20 [Music]
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