A balanced life and a growing economy

For the past weeks, I have shared the wishes of many entrepreneurs who have been part of the Go Negosyo’s journey in helping many of our youth and small entrepreneurs pursue their dreams by inspiring and mentoring them. Many of them share a personal wish of a balanced life, as many entrepreneurs who are so passionate in their businesses begin to realize the importance of the other more valuable intangibles in life.  In the case of Jojo Claudio, he talks about spending more quality time with his children, putting a balance between work and family time, and this is the same with many of our women entrepreneurs. 

It is very clear that many of them are happy with the current administration’s objective of improving the level of government transparency and its fight against corruption.Many wish P-Noy all the success to see this happen before his term ends. Many hope to see the level of poverty in our country reduced and this is why they have spent time in joining the many activities of Go Negosyo as they feel a booming negosyo is the lasting solution to poverty. 

While our country in the last quarter has been hit with calamities, the Filipino spirit is very much alive, not only resilient, and that many view the year 2014 to bring about a new beginning. We are not starting from scratch as we have seen the resurgence in our economy and investment and business confidence re-established, together with all the investment-grade ratings and bullish economic statistics. But expectations are much higher now from the Filipino people and the investing community, specially the foreign investors.

Filipinos want to see a better quality of life for all, and not only some.  We all want to see inclusive growth that benefits the majority. While some expectations may be too idealistic as to totally eradicating corruption at all levels, or solving traffic among others, all these will take time; a long-term cultural revolution that should involve everyone, not just the government.  

A lot of pressure will be on this government to see the promised public-private partnership take place in the last few years of the administration.  Even if this will all be awarded today, many of them will not be finished during his term but at least he can say it was implemented during his term. We need to start seeing the modern airports; major super highways among many others begin to move, since all these projects have huge multiplier effects on the economy. While many in the executive branch are very careful to avoid being criticized of corruption, like entrepreneurs, they will have to take certain risks and start awarding critical projects so that the infrastructures will help sustain the kind of growth this country needs to attain. 

In every negosyo, one needs to invest to sustain and support the growth it aims to hit. If we would like to see the Philippines grow, as Bounty Fresh’s Tennyson Chen points out in his wish, at seven percent for the next five years, the key to this is for the PPP to move at a faster pace.

Let me share with you the wishes of our entrepreneurs.

Manny V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., wishes for our country to achieve real growth for many years, through greater innovations that improve the lives of most Filipinos. And that partnership with institutions like Go Negosyo bring forth an empowered Filipino, determined to fight poverty, to help fellow Filipinos and contribute to a lasting progress for our country.

Lance Gokongwei, president and chief operating officer of JG Summit Holdings Inc., said “I wish that the country continues to progress economically, and that all Pinoys feel the benefit of its growth and for my team to always look forward to new opportunities and challenges.”

Alice Eduardo, president, Santa Elena Construction & Development Corp. wishes for an economic environment where small and medium business continues to flourish and the country continues record-breaking economic growth, and that prosperity is spread evenly throughout the countryside.

Genevieve Ledesma Tan, founder, Southville International School and Colleges wishes to welcome challenges and transform them into opportunities for learning and for growth and that our leaders will serve in the best interest of our people.

Alejandra Clemente, president, Rajah Group of Companies wishes for a vibrant and more dynamic Philippine tourism industry to open up opportunity to the young enterprising people to put up businesses that will cater to foreign as well as local tourists.

Jojo S. Claudio Jr., president and CEO, Quorum Holdings Corp.wishes to spend more “quality” time with my family, specially his daughter. He also said “I want President Aquino and Filipinos at large to succeed in our campaign to rid the Philippine society of graft and corruption. We owe it to our children to fix a broken system in our society.”

Siu Ping Par, COO for franchising of PR Gaz, wishes that the year 2014 would be a period of hope especially for many of our kababayans in the Visayas after Yolanda and that they be filled with more hope and encouragement to help them as they rebuild their lives and wishes for more stability and continued progress in the economy and for our leaders to stay focused on their journey on the daang matuwid.

 Rajan Uttamchandani, chairman/CEO Esquire Financing Inc. wishes to develop more entrepreneurs and to encourage entrepreneurship at young age to allow our country’s talent to develop business locally and create more employment and furthermore enhance the development of the economy.

This year, let us be ready to take on the challenges that may come. Let us work together in forming a better Philippines through an enterprising climate and mindset. As they say, let’s start the year right!