In the printed format of this message, I placed the following title: “Strength Without Agility is Mere Mass.” This is a direct quotation from Fernando Pessoa, Portuguese poet, writer, literary critic, translator, publisher and philosopher. The quote stirred me as I thought of our economy’s strength. We enjoy today a robust macroeconomy owing to strategic and comprehensive reforms boldly taken through the years.
But while we have touted the economy’s strength, and lauded its resilience, we have not said much about its pro-active agility. Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to say that our economy is not only strong and buoyant. It is also infused with dynamism and responsiveness. It is not passive. A strong and agile economy The Philippines sustained its strong macroeconomic fundamentals.