MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday thanked the officials and employees of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) for helping him do the tough job of a leader of the country.
The President expressed his appreciation to the strong 500-member PMS family, led by Secretary Julia Abad, during its 45th Anniversary held at the reception hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Thursday night.
“Nabanggit ko na nga ito noon: Sa trabaho ko po para kang nanonood ng 200 channels sa TV. Kailangan kong sundan nang sabay-sabay ang bawat pangyayari at kung may umusbong na problema ay kailangan natugunan na ito kahapon,” the President said in his speech.
President Aquino said the PMS has clearly played it’s role in delivering the needed information and data that are necessary for the President to deliver effectively his mandate to serve wholeheartedly the nation.
“Sa paggawa ko ng desisyon, talagang naging kabalikat ko kayong lahat. Kaya naman sa inyong anibersaryo tanggapin ninyo ang personal kong pasasalamat para sa propesyunalismo at matibay na suporta na tatak ng Presidential Management Staff,” he said.
President Aquino said the PMS is “his direct action arm” in performing his daily tasks both here and abroad.
The President also took the opportunity to thank the PMS for a job well done when his mother Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino was President of the country from 1986 to 1992.
“PMS nga ang nagmistulang mata at tainga ng aking ina para malaman ang mga problema at matutukan ang implementasyon ng mga solusyon. Kitang-kita ko po talaga ang lawak ng suporta ng ahensyang ito sa kanyang liderato,” the President said.
In his the remaining 315 days of his administration, President Aquino challenged the PMS to continue their hardwork and dedication to serve the Filipino nation.
“Magtiwala naman po kayo, sa natitirang 315 araw sa ating panunungkulan, kahit papatapos na tayo, lalo ko lang kayong itutulak na pagandahin pa ang inyong outputs,” the President said.
The President promised to double his efforts to continue the economic gains that his administration has achieved for the last five years under the straight path governance.
President Aquino received the loudest applause when he announced the approval of the PMS’ milestone anniversary bonus.
The gathering was attended by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Communication Secretary Herminio ‘Sonny’ Coloma Jr.