Opening of the Philippines Country Office
Remarks by
Günter Hecker
Country Director
Philippines
ADB Headquarters, Mandaluyong City
1 March 2001
Your Excellency, Mme. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Philippines, Secretary Romulo, members of the Cabinet, President Chino, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, magandang umaga po sa inyon lahat. Mabuhay sa Philippines Country Office. I am Günter Hecker, Country Director for the Philippines:
We are delighted you are here today. We hope that you and everybody who cares about the development of the Philippines will visit this Office often. That is why we have put the Office right here, easily accessible, easily visible from the street out there, and not hidden somewhere in the depths of our HQ building.
The glass window over there is symbolic as well as practical. Its transparency shows that we are part of ADB. Its solidity shows that we are a separate special unit, uniquely focussed on the Philippines.
Through this Office, all of ADB's operational work will be handled--it is a one-stop shop. Through this office, ADB will strive to help the Philippines to reduce poverty, and to grow more equitably and with an emphasis on Mindanao. It will help to improve governance, design sector reforms where necessary and strengthen institutions. We are so glad, Mme. President, that these topics were all mentioned in your inaugural speech at the EDSA shrine only a few weeks ago.
We look forward to work as partners in development with you and your teams. I promise you hard work and dedication from the Philippine Country Office.
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