The Philippines has become one of the leading investment destinations in Asia because of its highly conducive business climate, productive, hardworking and English-speaking workforce. This statement was made by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Clark Freeport Zone during the groundbreaking ceremony if Texas Instruments (TI) Philippines which is a $1-billion state-of-the-art test and assembly site of semiconductor chips.

The President lead the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony at the 32-hectare site of TI Phils. Also present during the ceremony was Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio, Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo Lazatin, Angeles City Mayor Francis Nepomuceno, Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Liberato Laus, TI Philippines president Norberto Viera, and TI vice president Kevin Ritchie. Other officials that attended the ceremony were National Power Corporation (Napocor) president Cyril del Callar, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Gen. Narciso Abaya, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) chairperson Lilia de Lima, US Charge d' Affairs Paul Jones, TI Asia president Larry Tan, Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, and other local officials.

The President was informed by TI vice president Kevin Ritchie on the features of the facility which is the most environment-friendly and energy efficient assembly/test site in the world that is similar to its facility in the United States. The facility will also follow the standards set by the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction. Some 3,000 employees will be hired as engineers, technicians, operators and admin officers to man the company's operations.

"Now, you are our image model for demonstrating that the Philippines had become an increasingly competitive location for manufacturing and high-skilled jobs, services and the booming call center business," the President told TI officials.