MANILA, Philippines?The government wants to generate about P180 billion a year in investments to sustain economic growth, the benefits of which may trickle down to the poor this time.

According to Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga, the Aquino administration hopes to see an annual economic growth rate of at least 7 percent starting 2011.

?We are targeting at least P180 billion a year to achieve growth of at least 7 percent. That [growth figure] is what is needed to make significant inroads in poverty reduction,? Paderanga said.

But such growth will require substantial investments particularly in public infrastructure?a goal the country may be hard pressed to attain since most foreign investors tend to place their funds in neighboring economies.

Paderanga said the increase in investments, which would keep the economy on its growth track, should create more job opportunities and reduce poverty.

Some economists believe that economic growth has not translated to anything meaningful for the country?s poor in recent years.

Poverty remains a serious problem, with the number of Filipinos living below the poverty line estimated at about a third of the population.

Latest data from the National Statistics Office showed that the jobless rate in the country stood at 8 percent in April, up from 7.5 percent in the same period last year.

But the Aquino administration is now aggressively pushing its Public Private Partnership (PPP) program, where private corporations will be urged to fund public projects, such as those related to agriculture, utilities, tourism, roads and bridges.