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The Philippines has one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, judging from the 5.9-percent gross domestic product expansion it registered in the third quarter of the year. Sustaining this robust economic expansion through the next few years is now the challenge.

Our hearts go out to the people of Mindanao specifically those from Sarangani, Davao Occidental and General Santos City which appeared to have taken the brunt of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit the region last Nov. 19. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) they are still verifying the casualty figures but initial reports indicated that three deaths were recorded in General Santos City; two in Glan, Sarangani; and one each in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental; and Malapatan, Sarangani.

When credit rating agencies give a nation a thumbs up, it means it is doing good and on the right track, notwithstanding the challenges facing the global economy.