Advisers rate U.S. visit successful

The Private Sector Advisory Council, headed by Aboitiz Group CEO Sabin Aboitiz, gave President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. two thumbs up for a job well done following Marcos Jr.'s six-day working visit to the United States.

Marcos arrived on Sunday morning from New York City where he gave a speech at the 77th United Nations General Assembly and met with world leaders, including US President Joseph Biden.

The president, upon his arrival in Manila, declared that "the work done in this trip serves as a good start for opportunities identified to be made into programs and projects to benefit the Philippines and our countrymen."

Mr. Marcos, with some of his cabinet members and the Philippine business delegation, met with a number of business leaders from different US companies who committed to be a part of the Philippines' development and economic growth.

Both the US and the Philippines will be working together in addressing some of the country's key economic challenges, particularly climate change, food security, and energy security, to name a few.

Resounding success

For his part, Aboitiz said in a statement Monday: "This trip was a resounding success. We have a true statesman in President Marcos. He represented our country with pride, diplomacy, professionalism, and an honest intention to strengthen our partnership with the US and secure its commitment to transforming the lives of all Filipinos by directly investing in our economy."

Aside from Aboitiz, members of PSAC and other business leaders also joined the Philippine delegation including International Container Terminal Services Inc. chairman and president Enrique Razon; Metro Pacific Corp. chairman and president Manuel V. Pangilinan; San Miguel Corp. chairman, president and CEO Ramon Ang; Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; JG Summit Holdings Inc. president and CEO Lance Gokongwei; Magsaysay Group president and CEO Doris Ho; and SM Prime Holdings Director Hans Sy, among others.