NEXT LEADER MUST BE ABLE TO COPE WITH CHANGE - ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Chairman of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, said the LDP will support a leader "who can adapt to rapidly changing times."

Angara said the country's population is already officially at 95 million, and is predicted to hit the 115 million mark by 2015. By this time, the Philippines will have reached the limit of our country's carrying capacity, in terms of both nature and society.

"The 6-year period from 2010 to 2016 will be critical for the Philippines. Therefore, those who aspire to lead us during that period should present to us a roadmap of progress, if not our very survival. Those who seek the country's leadership must define a clear and doable platform," he said.

He added, "over a third of our population is composed of children below 14 years old. We have to concern ourselves with how we will provide them quality education, adequate health care, food and clean water, and the basic tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world."

Angara also stressed that we are at risk of maxing out the resources that can support a burgeoning Philippine population. "Climate change has drastically altered not only our ecosystems but has also forced more people into poverty due to the scarcity of natural resources and the threat of more catastrophic natural disasters. Climate change must be confronted and managed, and the people most vulnerable to disaster and natural calamities must be protected," he said.

He further noted that along with rapid climate change is a technological change happening at breakneck speed. "The swift technologization of the world, with technological breakthroughs occurring in a span of a few years, tells us that the world is highly volatile. We need someone who can adapt to these rapidly changing times," said Angara.

In the latest Global Competitiveness Index, the Philippines ranked 87th out of 134 countries. This is a considerable drop of 16 places from last year's 71st rank. This emphasizes the need to invest in technological innovation, in basic science, research and development (R&D), and basic infrastructure. We must develop our human capital, along with our public institutions.

Moreover, Angara said the financial system is being turned on its head after the global financial crisis. It is now in the process of being revolutionized, with the whole world becoming one financial market. Technology has enabled one part of the planet to reach the other side in real time.

"With such spectacular changes, the next administration must be really up to it - it must be able to cope with all these dazzling changes and map out an intelligent plan for the country," said Angara.

The LDP passed a party resolution officially endorsing Senator Loren Legarda as its vice presidential candidate for 2010.