Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez (AMML), chairman of the Lopez Group, encouraged senior executives to make a difference in the lives of customers and the country this year.
At the Group’s strategic planning and annual budget conference held on January 9, AMML said the midterm elections in May present “many opportunities to provide real service to our fellow Filipinos.”
He commended ABS-CBN Corporation’s partnership with the Commission on Elections for the Halalan 2013 downloadable application, which provides users with election-related news, information on voter registration and the means to enlist as citizen journalists through Bayan Mo, I-Patrol Mo.
The ambassador expects a good year for the Philippine economy as jobs are generated from infrastructure investments, consumer spending rises and President Aquino receives consistently good reviews on his leadership.
Interest rates and inflation are expected to remain low for most part of the year, the foreign exchange rate stable and gross national income at or exceeding 2012 levels.
Lopez Group listed companies performed creditably in 2012, as the stock market’s key index rose 33% year-on-year. First Philippine Holdings Corporation and First Gen Corporation outperformed the Philippine Stock Exchange index with prices rising by 46% and 52%, respectively.
“I want to congratulate everyone for an excellent 2012. I trust that united, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of our customers and our country in 2013,” AMML said.
‘On our toes’
Oscar M. Lopez (OML), chairman emeritus of the Lopez Group, echoed the ambassador’s optimism albeit with some words of caution.
“There are numerous unsettled economic, financial and political issues in the European Union, in the United States and in the Middle East that could adversely affect the entire global economy. We cannot afford to ignore what is going on outside our immediate markets and it is important that we constantly try to protect our businesses from any adverse shocks that may arise from the outside,” OML said.
He reiterated the need for all Lopez Group companies to stay ahead of competition by quickly recognizing the evolving needs of their markets, being agile enough to respond to those needs, and executing strategies well.
“In other words, we must continue to be prudent, aware and on our toes,” OML concluded. (Story/Photo by: Carla Paras-Sison)
