Salceda cites gains of PNoy administration, gives 81% rating

by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, June 24 (PIA) -- Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC) chair and Albay Governor Joey Salceda gives President Benigno Aquino III a passing grade of 81 percent for his performance during his first year of governance, citing five important gains of the PNoy's administration to back up his rating.

Salceda made this statement during today’s 2nd RDC full council meeting underscoring several achievements of the Aquino administration during the first 11 months, including the increase by $20 billion in Gross Internation Reserve (GIR) from June 30, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

He also cited the Moody’scredit upgrade, one notch below investment grade, the first in nine years, adding that just recently the Fitch Ratings upgraded the country’s credit rating to just below investment grade that entails another boost to the country’s international credit image as an investment destination.

Salceda furthered that also part of the gains made by the PNoy administration is the speedy fiscal consolidation through prudent spending that still resulted to growth of 4.9 percent.

Salceda also cited the P21 billion expanded Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, popularly known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, of the present administration to benefit some 2 million more families that is aligned with achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Salceda also noted that some 1.4 million jobs were created by April 2011, pointing out that about 400,000 were generated by the government sector while about 1 million were created by the private sector, showing a strong confidence by the business sector on the government due to a transparent President.

The governot said that the reforms now being put in place by President Aquino will see bountiful harvest by 2012. (MAL/EDL, PIA V)