The numbers are out and they are encouraging.

Philippine trade during the first quarter of 2017 grew by 18.5%.  Supporting the view of the President’s economic team that we  will be the fastest growing economy in ASEAN-5 in 2017.

Having said this, the Duterte administration not only aims to make growth robust and sustainable but also to promote it to be equitable and inclusive. No one must be left behind.

Bringing prosperity to all is one way of empowering Filipinos. The Duterte administration is on the right track by promoting micro, small and medium enterprise s (MSMEs) to help create livelihood opportunities that would contribute in the poverty alleviation efforts of the government.