Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said Tuesday that the political reforms espoused by President Benigno S. Aquino III have fueled the economic growth currently being enjoyed by the Philippines.

            “The Aquino administration has done much to plot a socially equitable course of governance, and the strong multi-stakeholder approach that typifies its work ensures that the country stays on an even keel,” the Vice President said opening ceremony of the 38th Philippine Business Conference.

            “This focused and uncompromising approach in tackling the hard issues that the Philippines faces is our bond with countries who seek to be our partners in economic development,” he added.

            Binay said issues such as corruption, human rights abuses, and electoral fraud “have been cast out through the political will exerted by the current leadership.”

            He added that it was the government’s philosophy in minimizing government intervention in the business sector while maximizing the gains of economic growth “by translating the influx of resources to socially beneficial goods and services such as health, education, and mass housing.”

            “Over the course of three days, you will be apprised of the state and nuances of the Philippine economy,” Binay told the delegates of the conference.

            “Here today, it is my distinct honor and pride to say that the Philippines is a sound investment destination and it is my hope that our businessmen and yours can forge strong prosperous ties in the coming days,” he said.

            The Vice President, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) also cited the reforms being made in the housing sector.

            “In my own capacity as housing czar, good governance carries great weight in making the vision of providing 3.6 million houses to Filipino families a tangible reality,” he said.

            He said that the implementation of a land use plan on a national scale will resolve long-standing problems including traffic management, responsible industrialization, and sustainable clean environments can be resolved.

            He revealed that the housing sector and the World Bank are currently formulating the National Informal Settlements Upgrading Strategy (NISUS) that will be used to create a comprehensive shelter plan for informal settler families.

            “The shelter plan will ensure that informal settler families will have access to basic social services such as schools, public markets, health care centers, and livelihood opportunities at the resettlement areas,” the housing czar said.