Alumni Association of Philippines Welcomes Central Bank Governor

SIPA joined the Columbia University Alumni Association of the Philippines and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas—the nation’s central bank—in hosting a forum on the Philippine and global economies at BSP headquarters in Manila on December 8.

In keynote remarks, BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., discussed the importance of broad vision in public policy.

“In a world that has never been more connected than today,” Tetangco said, “policy makers need to have global perspective even for local or domestic issues.”

Pictured from left: Toshio Oya, director general, Asian Development Bank; Ramon Rufino, Net Group co-president; Lukauskas; Stephen Sieh, managing partner, Primeiro Partners; Tetangco; SyCip; Zeno Abenoja MPA-EPM ’09, BSP director; Pia Roman Tayag MIA ’00, BSP director.

Tetangco identified both virtues and drawbacks inherent in connected markets and addressed the impulse of some nations to “look inward [and] retreat from multilateralism”—a trend that creates additional complications, he said.

Moving on to a discussion of the Philippines’ economic strengths, Tetangco cited the nation’s long run of growth and low inflation, observing that it had achieved “the ideal convergence of growth and low inflation.” He ticked off positive factors that will support continued growth, including domestic demand, resurgent manufacturing, recovery in the agricultural sector, and accelerated spending on infrastructure.

Tetangco also praised the Filipino business leader Washington SyCip, who gave closing remarks. SyCip, a Columbia Business School alumnus, is founder of the accounting firm SGV & Company.

Professor Arvid Lukauskas of SIPA delivered a presentation on the possible impact of a Trump presidency. He  also discussed the School’s Program in Economic Policy Management program and its new track in central banking and financial markets.

The event, part of the ongoing celebration of SIPA’s 70th anniversary, drew 45 guests including eight SIPA alumni.