‘Noy to leave behind good economic foundations’

Malacañang said yesterday the Aquino administration would leave behind a sound economy that the new government could sustain and build upon as it appealed to everyone to move forward with a positive mindset.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also said over radio dzRB they were one with the incoming administration in hoping that healing and unity would begin after the elections that left people angry, bitter and divided because of the vicious campaign.

Based on the eight- point economic agenda of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte, the new administration will continue and maintain the current macroeconomic policies.

However, reforms in tax revenue collection in the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs efforts will be complemented by reforms within the bureaucracy of these tax-collecting agencies.

Coloma said they were optimistic that the momentum on economic growth would be sustained, given the confidence of local and foreign business and financial communities.

While trying to attract investments that could provide jobs and reduce poverty, the Aquino administration said it invested in various social services and other forms of intervention like the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program to achieve inclusive growth.

During the campaign, however, the Duterte camp said the current government failed to make economic growth inclusive.

But Coloma debunked this by saying, “President Aquino has repeatedly pointed out: Good governance translates to good economics. And we are confident that the foundations we laid down are strong, these cannot be swayed easily by the wind. These are strong because of the cooperation of all sectors.”

He added it would be best to keep a positive mindset instead of focusing on the negative issues raised during the campaign. Coloma said the campaign was “an opportunity to make all opinions known, including that of Aquino who pitched for continuity of the administration’s reform programs.”

“But now, it is the time to unite,” Coloma suggested, noting that Aquino himself called for unity after the elections and respect for the decision of the majority.