President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. needs to travel abroad to secure investments and generate more jobs for Filipinos, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Friday as he defended the Chief Executive’s foreign travels.

“President Marcos is the most potent ‘Investor Relations Officer’ of the country whose physical presence sends a strong signal that the country is open for business,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“Moreover, heads of states, fund managers, and potential investors will all have a rare opportunity to interact and receive assurance from no less than the highest official of our land,” he added.

The lawmaker, however, stressed that government agencies should be prepared to welcome and deal with interested foreign investors.

“Individual departments, especially the Department of Trade and Industry, should follow through to close the pledges that were made during the president’s investment roadshows. The departments should make sure that the investors are welcomed with a red carpet and all their concerns are addressed when they set up shop in the Philippines,” Gatchalian said.

The DTI earlier reported that the foreign trips of President Marcos resulted in PHP4.019 trillion or USD72.178 billion worth of investments in various investment stages.

According to DTI’s December 21 monitoring of consolidated and processed investments, the investment value includes 148 projects which are composed of signed agreements with clear financial values. (PNA)

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