President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Sunday, fresh from his successful attendance to the World Economic Forum that was held in Davos, Switzerland from January 23 to 26.
The President's chartered Philippine Air Lines flight PR001 touched down at the NAIA tarmac at around 2:20 in the afternoon
Welcoming the President back were Vice President Jejomar Binay and Cabinet members led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.
In his speech, the President expressed gladness at coming back to the warmer climate of the Philippines, saying the last time he had ever experienced below zero temperature was 30 years ago.
"Biruin po ninyo, mahigit tatlumpung taon na mula nang huli akong nakaranas ng winter, at talaga namang halos hindi makilala ang ating buong delegasyon sa sobrang pagkakabalot dahil sa ginaw. Siguro po ay matagal-tagal muling mapapahinga sa loob ng aparador ang guwantes, scarf, at overcoat na binaon natin sa ating pagbiyahe," the President said.
He then mentioned the achievements of his trip such as meeting with WEF founder and chief Professor Klaus Schwab and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, keynoting the anti-corruption forum where he detailed programs to end corruption the country has adapted and inviting international business leaders meeting to invest in the Philippines.
"Dito po, nakita natin na napakarami talagang gustong sumakay sa pag-arangkada ng ating ekonomiya. Saksi po sila—Hindi tayo napako sa mga pangakong hatid ng agenda ng reporma. Ang mga kumpanyang matagal nang narito, ay magpapalawak ng kanilang operasyon, at niyaya ang mga kumpanyang Pilipinong sumali sa joint venture, hindi lang sa Pilipinas, kundi pati na rin sa ibang bansa," the President said.
"Hindi rin po nagkulang ang mga bagong kumpanyang nagpahayag ng interes tumungo sa Pilipinas upang humanap ng angkop na negosyo. Pinuri po nilang lahat ang pangmatagalang istratehiya natin ng pamumuhunan sa ating mamamayan -- sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon, kalusugan, at iba pang serbisyong panlipunan. Mula po sa mga kumpanyang nakatutok sa edukasyon at imprastruktura, hanggang sa retail at information technology, at marami pang iba-- lahat sila, pumipila at nakikipag-ugnayan na sa atin; nakikita nila ang bagong mukha ng Pilipinas, at nagugustuhan nila ito," he added.
The President also mentioned the warm welcome he and his delegation received from the overseas Filipino workers from Switzerland and nearby Lichtenstein whom he said embodied the true spirit of "bayanihan" and selflessness for other Filipinos.
"Ang ikinatutuwa ko nga po, saan mang panig ng mundo man tayo mapadpad, ganoon pa rin ang ipinapakitang mabubuting katangian ng Pilipino: Palaging may handang ngiti, palaging nag-uumapaw sa malasakit ang puso, at palaging handang makipag-bayanihan upang iangat ang kanilang kapwa," the President said.
