Leni joining ASEAN Prosperity for All Summit

Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo yesterday confirmed her attendance to the ASEAN Prosperity for All Summit scheduled today, April 28, to underscore the importance of inclusive growth – particularly for micro and small entrepreneurs.

Interviewed at Sama Bajaus Housing Community in Barangay Bakod Bayan, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija on Thursday, Robredo confirmed her attendance to the summit where she will talk about the need to strengthen the Philippines’ relationship to other countries and the importance of inclusive growth to smaller entrepreneurs.

The ASEAN Summit, which is currently being held in the country, gathers leaders from the 10 ASEAN memberstates. The 30th ASEAN Summit is being held in Manila starting April 26 to 29 – the first of two ASEAN Summits this year.

“The ASEAN Summit is a very big opportunity for the Philippines because it will not only help us strengthen our ties with other countries but will also give us the chance to list down the agenda that are important for us,” Robredo said in a mix of English and Filipino.

The Vice President said she will be among the speakers of the summit’s event at the City of Dreams in Manila. “We will talk about inclusive growth, particularly how we can help smaller entrepreneurs,” she said. “I think this is very important since we will have the ASEAN integration… it’s important to ensure that the smaller business owners will be protected from bigger businessmen,” she added.

Robredo said that she will discuss what can the “government do to protect the smaller business owners and how can the bigger businessmen help them as well.” She noted that the conference is very relevant to underscore the importance of helping smaller business owners to achieve prosperity for all.

The first “Prosperity for All Summit” is hosted by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council. With the theme, “Driving growth through micro and small entrepreneurs in trade, services, and agriculture,” the summit aims to “pursue genuine and inclusive growth and prosperity for the ASEAN community.”

Robredo visited the Sama Bajaus Community in Purok 5, Bakod Bayan, Cabanatuan City, because it is one of the 50 pilot Angat Buhay LGUs. She said that the community needs water pumps in the area, particularly in the Sama Bajaus Housing Community.

Just last month, Robredo noted that Solanaland, an Angat Buhay partner, installed 10 water pumps in the community which will benefit 200 in the area. Prior to this, only 16 communal water pumps were being used by residents.

After visiting the community, Robredo also delivered a speech before more than 1,000 barangay officials during the General Membership Meeting of the Liga ng mga Barangay-Nueva Ecija Chapter in Palayan City.