PRIORITIZE TOURISM, ENERGY PROJECTS --ANGARA TO DBM

Senator Edgardo J. Angara reiterated the need for the government to prioritize spending in the tourism and Renewable Energy (RE) industries during yesterday's Commission of Appointments confirmation hearing for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Addressing interim Secretary Florencio Abad, Angara emphasized the importance of the two industries in the growth of the nation's economy.

"First is the promotion of the tourism industry, which creates a lot of jobs in the countryside, aside from its contribution to the nation's GDP growth," he said.

"Perhaps we could develop tourism hotspots in areas which do not need such a large amount of initial infrastructure investment, just so we could kick start the country's tourism efforts. Another option is by tending to the preservation of cultural and historical sites like old churches and buildings which attract both local and foreign travelers," he explained.

According to Angara, head of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, the RE industry deserves a spot in the new administration's priority list for 2011.

"The second area which I believe is vital to the economy is the development of the Renewable Energy industry, with programs based primarily in the countryside. To promote these projects we could perhaps offer tariff incentives to the stakeholders and government aid to the companies which will oversee them," he suggested.

As a final word to Sec. Abad, Angara expressed his hopes that the public spending in 2011 will reflect the government's commitment to the advancement and progress of the Philippine economy.

"The appointee has a well-deserved reputation for reform. In his pivotal post as the Secretary of DBM, he has both the power and responsibility to ensure that these priority projects get the necessary attention, and I believe will not let us down," said the veteran senator.