US investments in PHL remain vibrant

CEBU, Philippines -  Although the United States of America is facing huge debt crisis, investments of American companies to the Philippines remain vibrant, as well as Filipinos’ employment prospects to the United States.

United States of America Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr., expressed confidence that the Philippines can expect more investments from American companies, in fact, those firms which have already operations in the country has even announced active expansion plans.

Thomas, together with officers from the Embassy of the United States of America was in Cebu recently to grace the three-day exhibition entitled “America in 3D,” held at the SM City Cebu, showcasing US companies’, the Embassy’s programs, and VISA services, job opportunities, among others.

According to Thomas, Accenture for one, has announced its active expansion in the Philippines, this is just one of the many companies that showed confidence in the Philippine economy.

On the other hand, amid the controversial debt crisis, coupled with high un-employment rate in the US, the US Embassy to the Philippines first secretary and press attaché Tina Malone, said that Filipinos can expect good employment prospects in the US, while the US government is now working hard to bring down the unemployment rate.

Malone said the Obama-led government is working very hard with the help of the US Congress to come up with effective solutions to address the crises, and push up the employment rate.

The opportunities for jobs, especially in the medical field, although changes every time, depends on the demand, Malone said there is still opportunities for Filipinos to expect good employment opportunities in the United States.

The Embassy also dismissed impressions that getting VISA approval from the US government is difficult, saying the Embassy has the largest VISA section, in fact, the Philippines has the second largest VISA section in the world.

According to Malone, at this time though, there might be glitches, especially in expecting good job opportunities in the United States, however, she is optimistic that the unemployment rate in her country will soon be brought down, and Filipinos can still hope for better job prospects in the United States.

On the other hand, economist Bernardo Villegas of the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P), said that United States’ economic downturn is a “hopeless situation”, and it might be up for another round of economic recession, with ballooning debt, upcoming election jitters, among other problems faced by the Obama administration. (FREEMAN)