In the face of all that our country have gone through in 2013, the Philippine economy is moving towards a more widespread growth direction with more and better jobs for the people in the next years. According to Rogier van den Brink, World Bank Lead Economist for the Philippines, our country is benefiting from a pro-poor government while gaining from the strong growth prospects of a dynamic East Asia region. Karl Kendrick Chua, World Bank Senior Economist said, our country continues to benefit from strong economic fundamental training, characterized by low and stable inflation, healthy external balances, and improving government finances.

Philippine Stock Exchange president and CEO Hans B. Sicat said, “The one thing that differentiates us from among Asean countries is that the view on the Philippine stock market continues to be strong.” The Philippine stock market has shown signs of recovery year-to-date, the country's strong economic and corporate growth prospects remain intact. Our government's reconstruction effort to build back better homes, schools, health facilities, utilities, infrastructure, and livelihoods is strengthening the country's endurance to disasters. A widespread program to revive and enrich agriculture and manufacturing is one of the structural reforms that the government must prioritize rather than politicize. The structural reform determination of the current government is the opportunity for government leaders to unite for the fulfilment of true economic prosperity that can be experienced by the people.

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The 2014 International Seafarers' Welfare Awards were presented at a high-profile ceremony hosted by the secretary general of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Roger Harris, executive director of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), said: "The awards recognize excellent achievement and they inspire others to do more for the welfare of seafarers. We are particularly pleased that the awards are being held at the ILO with the Maritime Labour Convention [MLC]."