Filipinos urged to rally behind Arroyo

Jesus T. Tanchanco Sr., President of the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (Philfoodex), urged Filipinos yesterday "to unite behind President Arroyo’s efforts to attain economic growth and development for our country."

Tanchanco, a former food minister and administrator of the National Food Authority (NFA), said Philfoodex, a nationwide organization of food manufacturers and exporters, "recognizes President Arroyo’s sincere efforts to solve the many problems our country is now facing."

"All the efforts of President Arroyo to achieve peace and economic prosperity for our country will go naught unless we give her all the cooperation and support that she needs," Tanchanco said.

He said our willingness to be involved in the government’s efforts to transform the Philippines into a progressive nation is the key to national economic development.

"For if we succumb to cynicism and apathy, if we fail to catch the vigor and enthusiasm that this government has been trying to inject into our people then we forfeit the chances to contribute our share in the development of our country," the Philfoodex official said.

According to him, the getting together of people from all sectors of society provides chances for interaction which can result in solutions to problems in the implementation of development programs.

Tanchanco said that while the government has provided the necessary initiatives, the greater burden of responsibility for our country’s welfare "rest on us," the people, who remain as the sole engine of economic growth."