A pleasant afternoon to everyone.
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
First, I would like to thank our esteemed resource speaker, our very own former DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno, who now serves as a member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monetary Board, for accepting our invitation to talk about his recently published book.
Congratulations, and welcome back to your home of many years, Sec. Ben!
We are so grateful to have you today as your extensive and exemplary service always inspires resilience, adaptability, and hope in the face of unprecedented challenges.
As his Assistant Governor at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, I personally witnessed how Gov Ben led the BSP out of the pandemic. I don't think it's an understatement to say that he saved the Philippine economy during the pandemic. It is no wonder that he was named the Global and Asia-Pacific Central Banker of the Year by The Banker in 2022.
If you want to learn how Gov Ben did it, aside from his latest book, the tribute of The Banker details how he expertly guided the BSP to fulfill its core functions, drive significant policy initiatives, and support the National Government during one of the most challenging periods in history—the COVID-19 pandemic.
He introduced reforms that mitigated the adverse impact of the pandemic on our economy and paved the way for its early recovery. This includes accelerating digitalization, promoting financial inclusion, strengthening BSP’s internal operations and research capabilities, enhancing consumer protection, and, most importantly, fostering a stakeholder-centric approach that has moved the institution closer to the Filipino people.
Gov. Ben was also instrumental in the modernization of the country’s banking system and invigorating the financial sector. He ensured that Philippine banks were well-capitalized and robust through the BSP’s regulatory and legislative measures.
From this, we can learn that when asked to close our doors due to danger, we must look for windows of opportunity to adapt and thrive amidst extraordinary circumstances.
So at this time, when the economy has been significantly impacted by the recent typhoons and severe weather conditions, discussing this book could not have been timelier. This masterpiece is not only the personal account of an incomparable leader but also an important guide for future leaders in times of crisis.
Once again, thank you for gracing us with your presence, sir, especially during library month. Your book will certainly be another great addition to our library.
So, as we celebrate National Library and Information Services Month, let us make the most of this golden opportunity to harness the potential of libraries to empower communities, foster inclusivity, and build resilience amidst adversities—not just this November but throughout our lives.
Let us all listen intently to a great leader, educator, one of my mentors, and author whose insights will surely leave an indelible mark in our hearts.
And finally, let this book serve as a reminder to engage more with our libraries and find books that will meaningfully impact our present lives and our nation’s future.
Thank you very much.
Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
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