PNoy expects stellar economic growth as well in Q2

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday said he expects the economy to grow further in the coming months after the Philippines beat all Asian countries in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) growth during the first three months of the year.

"I think ‘yung second quarter figures should be of the same ilk, and we are hoping that they will be same or even better," Aquino said after receiving earnings of state-run firms at the Malacañang Palace Monday morning.

He said the government will work to make sure that Filipinos will reap the benefits of a rosy economy.

Last week, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) reported the Philippine economy grew by 7.8 percent during the first three months of 2013—the highest in Asia and also under Aquino's watch.

Despite the economy's stellar performance, pollster Social Weather Stations reported last month the number of Filipinos who experienced hunger in March grew to 3.9 million.

Last April, the NSCB also said the poverty incidence in the country during the first half of 2012 was at 27.9 percent—almost the same rate six years ago.

PNoy to meet Suu Kyi

Aquino is set to fly to Myanmar on Friday to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia, where he said he is scheduled to meet democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Suu Kyi is a Burmese opposition leader who was placed under house arrest for 15 years. She is currently a representative in the Burmese parliament.

His primary agenda in attending this year's event is to invite other world leaders in next year's forum, which will be hosted by the Philippines, the President noted. "It’s a tradition that you invite the participants. The host country invites the participants prior to the conduct," he said.

At the sidelines of the WEF, he is scheduled to have a meeting with President Thein Sein of Myanmar, Aquino said.

The WEF, which is based in Switzerland, describes itself as "an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas."

In this year's WEF on East Asia, global leaders will tackle how to unify economic efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. — VS, GMA News