The SONA
President Aquino on Monday trumpeted the accomplishments of his government in the past 2 years, saying that nothing is impossible once the Filipino people realize that they are the boss. The Philippines has achieved change, and the Filipinos themselves have made it happen.
President Benigno Aquino faced a joint session of Congress Monday to deliver his third State of the Nation Address (SONA). He did not claim credit for the improvements in national life in the past year. All credit he gave to the Filipinos. He thanked them for the achievements.
He said that in the 25 months that he has been President, he learned that “nothing is impossible because if the Filipino people see that they are the only Bosses of their government, they will carry, they will guide you, they themselves will lead you to meaningful change.”
Among the accomplishments he mentioned in the SONA are: a record 6.4% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2012, record performances of the stock market, rising tourist arrivals and record high increase in coco water exports.
He also answered critics who said that his “daang matuwid” and good governance drive would not benefit the poor.
He described fiscal management under the previous administration as like “the wild West” where “one hand would shake your hand while the other would ask for a bribe.”
He said that under his administration, leaks in the system due to corruption have been plugged and tax collections have risen,.
“We can easily fulfill all these goals, if the sin tax bill—which rationalizes taxes on alcohol and tobacco products—can be passed. This bill makes vice more expensive while at the same time raising more money for health,” Mr. Aquino said. Through this, more infrastructures will build.
“We will not build our road network based on kickbacks or favoritism. We will build them according to a clear system. Now that resources for these projects are no longer allocated haphazardly, our plans will no longer end up unfulfilled. They will become tangible roads that benefit the Filipino people,” he said.
The situation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management was opened up. He said we already know how to craft clear plans to avoid catastrophe. Project NOAH was boasted. 600 automated rain gauges and 422 water level sensors installed in 80 primary river basins around the country are the targets for 2013.
128,558 hectares of forest have been planted across the country. 335,078 individuals now earn their livelihood from these activities.
The face of government has truly changed, PNoy said. Our compensation levels are at par with the private sector's at the entry level. Performance-Based Incentives will be given to government employees. Bonuses are based on their agency’s abilities to meet their annual targets. It may reach up to P35,000.
Confidence in the economy is growing. Investments are pouring in, jobs are being created, and a virtuous cycle has begun. Consumers buy more products, and businesses hire more people so they can expand to keep up with the growing demand.
Improved tax collection has increased revenues. Every peso collected is properly spent on roads, on vaccines, on classrooms and chairs.
Roads are properly paved; products, services, and people reach their destination quickly and with greater ease.
Food production has increased, prices don't fluctuate, wages are stable, and our economy is stronger.
PNoy said a resilient and dynamic economy resting on the foundations of good governance is the best defense against global uncertainty.
Territorial dispute with China was mentioned. He said it is not right to give away that which is rightfully ours.
"Let go of the past. Unite. Forgive and forget so we can move forward as a people" as what people say is unacceptable to PNoy. He criticized the ten years that were taken from us. He mentioned the 57 victims of the Maguindanao massacre.
Forgiveness is possible; forgetting is not, PNoy said. If offenders go unpunished, society's future suffering is guaranteed.
Mr. Aquino said his reforms have come through “prudent spending, with every peso collected properly spent on roads, on vaccines, on classrooms and chairs—spent on our future.”
