Aquino pushes for modernization plan of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines
President Benigno S.
Aquino III pushed for the modernization of the country’s armed forces to make
it more capable in addressing modern-day challenges.
In his third State of the
Nation Address on Monday before the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the
Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, the President said his administration was
able to allocate P28 billion in less than two years for the Modernization
Program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The amount allotted by
the Aquino administration almost matched the P30 billion allocated by the
previous administrations in the last 15 years, the chief executive said.
“Bumubuwelo pa lang po
tayo sa lagay na ‘yan: kapag naipasa na ang panukala nating AFP modernization
bill sa Kongreso, makakapaglaan tayo ng P75 bilyon para sa susunod na limang
taon,” the President said.
“Kasado na rin po ang
tatlumpung milyong dolyar na pondong kaloob ng Estados Unidos para sa Defense
Capability Upgrade and Sustainment of Equipment Program ng AFP. Bukod pa po ito
sa tulong nila upang pahusayin pa ang pagmanman sa ating mga baybayin sa ilalim
ng itatayong Coast Watch Center ng Pilipinas,” he added.
The President also said
the AFP has started shopping for modern equipment such as cannons, armored
personnel carriers and frigates adding that a warship from the US would be
arriving in January.
The BRP Ramon Alcaraz,
the country’s second Hamilton class cutter will arrive next year, he said. Last
year, the Philippine Navy commissioned the BRP Gregorio del Pilar to guard the
Philippine waters.
Two C130 cargo aircraft
will also augment airlift capabilities of the Philippine Air Force, the
President said. This will help the single C-130 that has been operating for
more than 30 years.
The President said that
next year, 21 refurbished UH-1H Helicopter will be delivered to the air force,
in addition to four combat utility helicopters, radio and communication
equipment, rifles, mortars, mobile diagnostic laboratories and bullet station
assembly.
While the government is
providing equipment to soldiers and policemen, the administration is also
working to make their lives better, President Aquino said.
More than 22,000 homes
were constructed by the government through the AFP-PNP housing program, he
said.
“Hindi po ito tungkol sa
pakikipaggirian o pakikipagmatigasan. Hindi ito tungkol sa pagsisiga-sigaan.
Tungkol ito sa pagkamit ng kapayapaan. Tungkol ito sa kakayahan nating
ipagtanggol ang ating sarili—isang bagay na kay tagal nating inisip na
imposible,” the President said.
These government efforts
are also about protecting the lives of soldiers and policemen to make their
jobs safer for the benefit of their families, the President concluded.
(as/6:21pm)
Philhealth benefits and services are now available to 85 percent of
Filipinos, says Aquino
President Benigno S.
Aquino III’s advocacy to provide healthcare to more and more Filipinos is
slowly becoming a reality as coverage to the national health insurance program
has reached 85 percent.
This, the President said
in his third State of the Nation Address at the Joint Session of the 15th
Congress at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, was made possible
through reforms implemented in the health sector and “not on being in the good
graces of politicians.”
“When we first took
office, only 62 percent of Filipinos were enrolled in PhilHealth. Now, 85
percent of our citizens are members. This means that since we received our
mandate, 23.31 million more Filipinos have access to PhilHealth’s array of
benefits and services,” the President said.
He added that included in
this increase are the 5.2 million poorest households identified by the
Department of Social Welfare and its National Household Targeting System.
Now, all members can now
avail the services of Philhealth-accredited hospitals and medical practitioners
free of charge through the Department of Health’s No Balance Billing Policy.
“The process for our
poorest PhilHealth members: Enter any government hospital. Show your PhilHealth
card. Get treatment. And they return to their homes without having to shell out
a single centavo,” the President said.
To address the ratio
mismatch of medical practitioners to the number of Filipinos, the President
said, 30,801 nurses and midwives have been deployed to remote areas of the
country under the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service
(RNHEALS) program.
“And today, because of
efficient targeting, they (nurses and midwives) are deployed to where they are
most needed: to areas that have been for so long left in the margins of
society. We have sent our health professionals to 1,021 localities covered by
the Pantawid Pamilya, and to the 609 poorest cities and municipalities, as
identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission,” the President said.
“This new system
addresses two issues: thousands of nurses and midwives now have jobs and an
opportunity to gain valuable work experience; at the same time, millions of our
countrymen now have increased access to quality health care,” he added. (rck)
Aquino assures Filipinos of adequate protection against calamities,
storms through nationwide operational assessment of hazards
President Benigno S.
Aquino III assured Filipinos of adequate protection against various calamities
and other destructive storms through the Nationwide Operational Assessment of
Hazards or Project NOAH.
In his third State of the
Nation Address on Monday during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the
Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, the Chief Executive said Project NOAH
was launched in Marikina last July in a bid to step up national efforts toward
greater and more intensive disaster risk reduction and management procedures in
the face of typhoons and calamities.
"Let us talk about
the situation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Once, the government,
which is supposed to give aid, was the one asking for aid. Today, even when the
storm is still brewing, we already know how to craft clear plans to avoid
catastrophe," President Aquino said.
"Talking about
disasters reminds me of the time when a typhoon struck Tarlac. The dike
collapsed due to the rains; when one of the barangay captains awoke, the floods
had already taken his family, as well as his farming equipment. Fortunately,
the entire family survived. But the carabao they had left tied to a tree wasn’t
as lucky; it was strangled to death from the force of the flood," he said.
President Aquino stressed
that natural hazards inflicted loss of lives and costly damage to property in
the past years.
"Many of those
affected by typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng, and Sendong were just as defenseless. We
lost so many lives to these natural disasters," he said.
"And now, through
Project NOAH, all our anti-disaster initiatives have been brought inside one
boat, and we no longer leave the evacuation of families up to mere luck. We now
have the technology to give fair warning to Filipinos in order to prepare for
and avoid the worst," the President said.
Through the use of
advanced science and technology, the President said Project NOAH will improve
disaster management capacity of the government and assure homeland security by
reducing casualties and property loss from extremely hazardous events.
"Our 86 automated
rain gauges and 28 water level monitoring sensors in various regions now
benefit us directly and in real time. Our target before the end of 2013 are 600
automated rain gauges and 422 water level sensors. We will have them installed
in 80 primary river basins around the country," he said. (js)
Aquino’s State of the Nation Address earned positive reactions
President Benigno S.
Aquino III earned positive reactions from the members of both Houses of
Congress - the Senate and the House of Representatives - as he delivered his
third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in over two years of his six-year term
of office.
In his SONA before the
Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on
Monday, President Aquino was applauded one hundred and twenty one (121) times
by the audience and a standing ovation during the whole duration of his SONA
which was also witnessed by the members of the cabinet, business groups, religious
sector, youth and members of the Diplomatic Corps, among others.
The Chief Executive cited
the major reforms being implemented in the government that has brought
considerable progress to the nation and eventually uplifted the living
standards of the Filipinos.
The President, together
with his party, arrived at the Batasan Complex at exactly 3:40 p.m. via the
Presidential convoy. Upon his arrival, the President was received by Senate
President Juan Ponce Enrile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa, House Sergeant at
Arms Police Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan Jr. (Ret.) and Senate Sergeant
at Arms MGen. Jose Balajadia Jr. (Ret.).
President Aquino then
proceeded to the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, which served as the
holding room.
The Joint Session was
called into order at exactly 4:00 p.m. by the Senate President and the House
Speaker.
The Mandaluyong
Children’s Choir sang the National Anthem while religious leaders from various
religious groups led the opening prayer.
The President’s one hour
and twenty-minute speech also featured the Aquino administration’s continuing
initiatives to achieve sustainable development that will ensure a brighter
future for the Filipinos and the coming generations. (jcl/6:40 p.m.)
Aquino vows to distribute all lands covered by Comprehensive Agrarian
Program during his term
President Benigno S.
Aquino III vowed to distribute to legitimate farmer beneficiaries all lands
covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms
(Carper) during his administration.
"My mother initiated
the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. It is only just that this program
sees its conclusion during my term," President Aquino said in his third
State of the Nation Address before the Joint Session of the 15th Congress on
Monday at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
The Chief Executive
remains committed to complete the objectives of CARPER and attain a genuine
agricultural development in the country.
"We are improving
the system, so that we can more swiftly and more efficiently realize agrarian
reform. The government is doing everything in its power to ensure that our
farmers can claim as their own the land they have tilled and nurtured with
their sweat," he said.
"There are those,
however, who wish to obstruct us. I say to them: We will obey the law. The law
says, the nation says, and I say --- Before I step down, all the land covered
by CARP will have been distributed," he said. (js)
Reforms start to benefit the education sector, Aquino says
Reforms in the education
sector have started to bear fruits, President Benigno S. Aquino III said, as he
noted that his government was able to address shortage in classrooms and books,
as well as the meager budget for the country’s state universities and colleges.
In his third
State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) before the Joint Session of the 15th
Congress on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, President Aquino
said his administration inherited 66,800 classroom backlogs amounting to P53.44
billion. There was also the shortage of 2,573,212 chairs worth around P2.31
billion, he noted.
But after carrying out
government reforms, the President said he expects the education department to
fully address the shortage in classrooms next school year. He pointed out that
this year, the government was able to construct 40,000 classrooms.
According to the
President, by the end of 2012, he said he expects the Department of Education
to completely fill more than two-million backlogs in chairs as well as the 61.7
million textbook shortage.
“At para naman po hindi
mapag-iwanan ang ating mga State Universities and Colleges, mayroon tayong
panukalang 43.61 percent na pag-angat sa kanilang budget para sa susunod na
taon. Paalala lang po: lahat ng ginagawa natin, may direksyon; may kaakibat na
kondisyon ang dagdag-budget na ito,” the President said.
To ensure quality
education being offered by the state colleges and universities, the President
said the agreed SUC Reform Roadmap of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
must be carried out.
“Kung mataas ang grado
ninyo sa assignment na ito, asahan ninyong dodoblehin din namin ang kayod para
matugunan ang mga natitirang pangangailangan po ninyo,” he said.
The President also
explained the continuing increases in education’s budget. DepEd’s 2010 budget
at the start of the Aquino administration was P177 billion, he said. For 2013,
the government proposed for P292.7 billion budget for education.
For SUC’s, the 2010
budget was 21.03 billion, the President said adding that his administration is
making yearly increases. He said that for next year, the administration
increased it to P37.13 billion. (as/7:02pm)
President Aquino pegs retirement benefits of old-age and disability
pensioners at P5,000
Old-age and disability
pensioners have something to look forward to next year as President Benigno S. Aquino
III has pegged their retirement benefits at P5,000 a month.
The President said in his
third State of the Nation Address before the Joint Session of the 15th Congress
at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday that this was the State's way
of saying thank you for the long years of dedicated service of government
retirees.
“From the womb, to
school, to work, change has touched the Filipinos. And should a life of
government service be chosen, our people can expect the same level of care from
the state, until retirement,” the President said.
“Our administration will
recognize their contributions to our society as public servants, and will not
withhold from them the pensions they themselves contributed to,” he added.
The President said he was
shocked to discover that some retirees receive less than P500 a month in
pension benefits, barely enough to cover the daily expenses of water, power and
food.
“Our response -- when the
New Year comes our resolution would be that all old-age and disability pensioners
will receive no less than five thousand pesos monthly,” the President said.
He added the prudent
government spending together with fiscal reforms have allowed the government to
use sources to fund priority programs such as the retirement benefits.
"We are heartened
that we can meet their needs now, without jeopardizing their future benefits,”
the President said. (rck)
Former President Estrada cites Aquino's leadership in pursuing reforms
Former President Joseph
Ejercito Estrada expressed satisfaction for the leadership of President Benigno
S. Aquino III in pursuing reforms within his administration particularly in his
efforts to achieve lasting progress and development to the nation.
In an interview prior to
President Aquino's third State of the Nation Address (SONA) before the Joint
Session of the 15h Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday,
Estrada noted the obvious positive effects of the efforts of the Aquino administration
to effect reforms in the government.
“Malaki ang
accomplishments… umakyat ang ating ekonomiya, iyon ang pinakamahalagang bagay…”
Estrada said adding that the people need to give the present administration
more time to perform for the benefit of the country and the Filipino citizenry.
“Iyong siyam na taon ng
nakaraang administrasyon sobra-sobra ang katiwalian na nangyari, hindi naman
maso-solve agad ang problema sa loob lamang ng dalawang taon kaya bigyan pa
natin ng panahon ang ating kasalukuyang Pangulo para mai-ayos lahat ang mga
iniwang katiwalian ng nakaraang administrasyon,” Estrada said.
When asked on his
thoughts on the initiatives of the government to go after those who betrayed
the people’s trust, Estrada said “Hindi naman sa naninisi kaya lang dapat
lipulin lahat ang mga nagnakaw sa kaban ng bayan”. (jcl/7:12 p.m.)
President Aquino asks for the public to support the country's claim in
the West Philippine Sea
President Benigno S.
Aquino III asked for public support in connection with the country’s
territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea adding that he has been
consulting with experts and working for a diplomatic solution to the dispute.
“Kaya nga po hinihiling
ko sa sambayanan ang pakikiisa sa isyung ito. Iisa lang po dapat ang kumpas
natin. Tulungan ninyo akong iparinig sa kabilang panig ang katuwiran ng ating
mga paninindigan,” the President said in his third State of the Nation address
before the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in
Quezon City on Monday.
“Hindi po simple ang
sitwasyon, at hindi magiging simple ang solusyon. Magtiwala po kayo ---
kumokonsulta tayo sa mga eksperto, at sa lahat ng pinuno ng ating bansa, pati
na sa kaalyado natin—gayundin sa mga nasa kabilang panig ng usaping ito—upang
makahanap ng solusyon na katanggap-tanggap sa lahat,” he added.
The Philippines has shown
patience and calmness in handling the present stand-off with China, the
President said, as he expressed hope that the Chinese government and its people
will also respect the Philippine position.
As to proposals advising
the Philippine government to abandon its claims, such move would be
unacceptable for him, the President said.
“Kung may pumasok sa
inyong bakuran at sinabing ang kanyang kinatatayuan ay sa kanya na, papayag ba
kayo? Hindi naman po yata tamang ipamigay na lang natin sa iba ang sadyang atin
talaga,” he said.
The Philippine government
said it wants a peaceful resolution to the dispute through dialogue with China.
It also proposed to raise the issue to the 1982 United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, a proposal opposed by China.
The members of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have also agreed to the
so-called six-point principles to resolve conflicting claims in the West
Philippine Sea.
China claims the West
Philippine Sea nearly in its entirety, while Taiwan is also pursuing its own
claim. ASEAN member countries seeking ownership over the disputed territory
include Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. (as/7:26pm)
Aquino remains committed to fight corruption
President Benigno S.
Aquino III renewed his resolved Monday to fight corruption and injustice in the
country reiterating that he will continue to hold accountable those who
committed wrongdoings in the previous administration.
In his third State of the
Nation Address (SONA) before the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the
Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, the President said that while his
administration carries out bureaucratic reforms there are those who continue to
oppose his initiatives and derail his plans.
“Sa bawat hakbang sa
tuwid na daan, nagpunla tayo ng pagbabago. Ngunit may mangilan-ngilan pa ring
pilit na bubunot nito. Habang nagtatalumpati ako ngayon, may mga
nagbubulung-bulungan sa isang silid at hinihimay ang aking mga sinasabi;
naghahanap ng butas na ipambabatikos bukas. Sasabihin nila, ‘Salita lang ito,
at hindi totoo ang tuwid na landas.’ Sila na rin po ang magsasabing hayaan na,
magkaisa na; forgive and forget na lang para makausad na tayo,” the President
said.
“Hindi ko po matatanggap
ito. Forgive and forget na lang ang sampung taon na nawala sa atin? Forgive and
forget na lang para sa magsasakang nabaon sa utang dahil sa kakaangkat natin ng
bigas, gayong puwede naman palang pagyamanin sa ating sariling lupa?”
Filipinos shouldn’t
forgive and forget those who erred and wanted to retain the status quo,
including the perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre.
“Ang tugon ko, ang
magpatawad, maaari; ang makalimot, hindi. Kung ang nagkasala ay hindi
mananagot, gagarantiyahan mo ang pagpapahirap muli sa sambayanan,” the
President stressed.
“Ang tunay na pagkakaisa
at pagkakasunduan ay magmumula lamang sa tunay at ganap na katarungan.
Katarungan ang tawag sa plunder case na isinampa laban sa dating pangulo.”
With the charges filed
against the former leader, she’ll have an opportunity to defend herself in
court, the President said noting that this is the only way to attain justice.
The removal from office
of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is also a significant achievement in
the country’s quest for justice, the President said, adding that the recent
impeachment trial against the former chief magistrate proved that there’s
equality under the law. (as/7:44pm)
President Aquino cites Filipinos as inspiration for his 3rd State of
the Nation Address
President Benigno S.
Aquino III cited the Filipino people as his inspiration in delivering his third
State of the Nation Address before the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at
the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday.
The President said the
indomitable and positive spirit of Filipinos to rise above challenges in their
quest for change was the wellspring that guided his Administration in the last
two years.
“This is what I have
learned in the 25 months I have served as your President: nothing is impossible.
Nothing is impossible because if the Filipino people see that they are the only
Bosses of their government, they will carry you, they will guide you, they
themselves will lead you towards meaningful change,” the President said.
“I stand before you today
as the face of a government that knows you as its Boss, and draws its strength
from you. I am only here to narrate the changes that you yourselves have made
possible,” he added.
The President’s SONA
centered on his administration’s efforts to improve the delivery of services
from the different branches, offices and agencies of government.
These include
electricity; infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, airports,
trains, and ports; fair contracts; peace in our cities and our rural areas;
every classroom, desk, and book assigned to a child; and every Filipino granted
a future.
“This is why, to all the
nurses, midwives, or doctors who chose to serve in the barrios; to each new
graduate who has chosen to work for the government; to each Filipino athlete
who proudly carries the flag in any corner of the globe, to each government
official who renders true and honest service: You made this change possible,”
the President said.
“I repeat: what was once
impossible is now possible. I stand before you today and tell you: this is not
my SONA. You made this happen. This is the SONA of the Filipino nation,” he
added. (rck)
Aquino confident Congress will pass law on mining
President Benigno S.
Aquino III expressed confidence that Congress would pass a law on mining in a
bid to improve environmental mining standards and increase government revenues
to promote sustainable economic development and social growth.
"Umaasa po tayo sa
pakikiisa ng Kongreso upang makapagpasa ng batas na sisigurong mapapangalagaan
ang kalikasan at matitiyak na makatarungan ang magiging pakinabang ng publiko
at pribadong sektor sa mga biyayang makukuha natin mula sa industriyang
ito," President Aquino said in his third State of the Nation Address on
Monday during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa
Complex in Quezon City.
Last July 6, the Chief
Executive signed Executive Order No. 79 to strengthen environmental protection,
promote responsible mining and provide a more equitable revenue-sharing scheme
amid the projected boom in the sector.
"Mapayapang
pag-uusap rin po ang prinsipyong isinulong natin upang mabuo ang ating
Executive Order ukol sa pagmimina. Ang kaisipan sa likod ng nabuong consensus:
mapakinabangan ang ating likas na yaman upang iangat ang buhay ng Pilipino,
hindi lamang ngayon kundi pati na rin sa susunod na salinlahi. Hindi natin
pipitasin ang ginintuang bunga ng industriyang ito, kung ang magiging kabayaran
ay ang pagkasira ng kalikasan," he said.
The President said the
passage of legislation on mining is still needed to complement the Executive
Order.
"Ngunit unang
hakbang lamang ito. Isipin po ninyo: Noong 2010, 145 billion pesos ang kabuuang
halaga na nakuha mula sa pagmimina, subalit 13.4 billion pesos lamang o siyam
na porsyento ang napunta sa kaban ng bayan. Ang likas na yamanay pag-aari
ninyo; hindi tayo papayag na balato lang ang mapupunta sa Pilipino," he
said. (js)
Aquino confident about the country achieving targetted 4.6 million tourist
arrivals for 2012
President Benigno S.
Aquino III on Monday expressed confidence that the Philippines will achieve its
target of 4.6 million tourist arrivals for 2012, saying that more tourists will
visit the country before the end of the year.
During his third State of
the Nation Address before the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the
Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, the President said that the number of tourist
arrivals by June of this year had reached 2.1 million. He is optimistic that more
tourists will arrive during the peak season.
President Aquino said
that in 2001 under the previous administration, the Philippines was only able
to attract 1.8 million foreign tourists to visit the country. When the Aquino
administration assumed office, he said the number of tourists had grown to only
around 3.1 million.
“Mantakin po ninyo: sa
hinaba-haba ng kanilang administrasyon, ang naidagdag nilang tourist arrivals,
1.3 million lamang; may ambag pa kaming kalahating taon diyan,” the President
said.
“Tayo naman po, Hunyo pa
lang ng 2012—2.1 million na turista na ang napalapag. Mas marami pang dadagsa
sa peak season bago matapos ang taon, kaya hindi ako nagdududang maaabot natin
ang quota na 4.6 million na turista para sa 2012,” he said.
“Ibig sabihin po: 1.5
million na turista ang ating maidadagdag. Samakatuwid, sa dalawang taon, mas
malaki ang magiging paglago ng ating tourist arrivals, kumpara sa naidagdag ng
pinalitan natin sa loob ng siyam at kalahating taon. Hindi po tayo nagtataas ng
bangko; nagsasabi lang po tayo ng totoo,” he further said.
President Aquino said
that if Filipinos continue to embody the “same solidarity” that allowed the
Puerto Princesa Underground River to become one of the New Seven Wonders of
Nature, there is no doubt that the country will be able to reach its goal of 10
million foreign tourists by 2016.
The Puerto Princesa
Underground River was named one of the world’s New 7 Wonders of Nature (N7WN)
early this year. It is located some 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto
Princesa in the province of Palawan.
During his State of the
Nation Address, the President also lauded Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez for
his efforts to promote the country’s tourism campaign “It‘s more fun in the
Philippines.”
“Ang pahayag nga po natin
sa daigdig: “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” Kahit wala pang isang taon sa
puwesto si Secretary Mon Jimenez, nagagapas na natin ang positibong bunga ng
ating mga naipunlang reporma,” he said. (co)
Stronger economy shields the country from global uncertainty, Aquino
says
While many countries
struggle to regain their footing in the midst of the global economic slowdown,
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the Philippines was able to strengthen its
economy through reforms and good leadership.
“Tunay nga po: Ang
matatag at malakas na ekonomyang pinanday ng mabuting pamamahala ang
pinakamabisang kalasag laban sa mga hamon na kinakaharap ng daigdig. Dalawang
taon po nating binaklas ang mga balakid sa pag-unlad, at ngayon, tayo na lang
mismo ang makakapigil sa ating sariling pag-angat,” the President said during
his third State of the Nation Address at Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on
Monday.
“Hindi po tayo nag-iisa
sa mundo, kaya’t habang tinutugunan natin ang sarili nating mga suliranin,
angkop lamang na bantayan din ang ilang pangyayaring maaaring makaapekto sa
atin,” he added.
The President boasted
recent changes in the way investors do business in the Philippines. He said
that in the past administration, businessmen weren’t confident in putting their
money in the country because of corruption and secrecy in government policies.
“Ngayon, dahil patas na
ang laban, at may hayag at hindi pabagu-bagong mga patakaran, patuloy ang
pagtaas ng kumpiyansa sa ating ekonomya. Patuloy ang pagpasok ng puhunan;
patuloy ang pagdami ng trabaho; patuloy ang positibong siklo ng pagkonsumo,
paglago ng negosyo, at pagdami ng mamamayang na-eempleyo,” he said.
“Dahil maayos ang
paggugol ng gobyerno, walang tagas sa sistema. Dahil maayos ang pangkolekta ng
buwis, lumalago ang kaban ng bayan. Bawat pisong nakokolekta, tiyak ang
pupuntahan: Piso itong diretso sa kalsada, piso para sa bakuna, piso para sa
classroom at upuan, piso para sa ating kinabukasan,” he said.
As a result of a more
efficient tax collection, the government could sufficiently fund projects such
as construction of bridges, roads, and other infrastructures. These reforms
also result to better the flow of goods and services to the people.
According to the
President, the agriculture sector also benefited from these reforms adding that
food production, stability of prices, and better wages were the end results of
these reforms. (as/8:27pm)
Aquino cites country’s rice, coco coir export potentials
President Benigno S.
Aquino III said his administration will focus on the country’s agriculture
sector recognizing its potential for exporting different agricultural products.
In his third State of the
Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, the President
said, the Philippines could export rice next year as well as increasing its
capacity to ship out coco water as well as coco coir.
While farmers disposed
coco water as waste in the past, it is now a source of income for them because of
its export potentials, the Chief Executive said.
“Noong 2009—483,862
liters ng cocowater ang iniluwas natin. Umangat po ito ng 1,807,583 liters
noong 2010. Huwag po kayong magugulat: noong 2011 --- 16,756,498 liters liters
ng cocowater ang in-export ng Pilipinas,” he said.
In the case of coco coir,
the product that seemed to be unimportant in the past is now very important to
farmers and exporters, the President said.
The President asked the
people to seize the opportunity to export this product vowing to allocate more
money for modern processing equipment of coco coir.
“Hindi natin sasayangin
ang pagkakataong ito: bibili pa tayo ng mga bagong makinang magpoproseso ng bunot
para makuha ang mga hiblang ginagawa mula sa coco coir. Sa susunod na taon,
lalo nating mapapakinabangan ang industriya ng niyog: Naglaan na tayo ng P1.75
billion upang mamuhunan at palaguin ito,” President Aquino said.
Although the country was
a major rice importer in the past, the agriculture department was able to
reverse this trend. Next year if good weather permits, the Philippines could
ship rice overseas, the President said.
The previous government
imported two million metric tons of rice in 2010 and this large volume ended up
in government warehouses and left to rot, he said.
The present government
reduced the volume of rice imports, and this year, it only imported 500,000
tons, including the buffer stock intended for the time of disasters. (as/8:48pm)
Government continues to push for reforms in Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao to attain genuine peace
President Benigno S.
Aquino III said his administration has taken significant steps to improve the
peace and order situation in the country by defeating over 1,700 outlaws and
initiating reforms in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
"Tagumpay pong
maituturing ang dalawandaan at tatlong rebeldeng sumuko at nagbabalik-loob na
sa lipunan, at ang 1,772 na bandidong nawakasan na ang karahasan. Halimbawa po
ang kilabot na teroristang si Doctor Abu, na hindi na makakapaghasik ng
kaniyang lagim," President Aquino said in his third State of the Nation
Address on Monday during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the Batasang
Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
With the vigorous efforts
of all law enforcement agencies, peace and order were restored in most places
in the country.
"Nagpupugay rin po
tayo sa panunumbalik ng katahimikan sa mga lugar na matagal nang biningi ng
putukan. Ang resulta nga po ng bayanihan: 365 na barangay ang naagaw sa kamay
ng kaaway, 270 na gusali’t paaralan ang naipaayos, at 74 health centers ang
naipagawa," he said.
The Chief Executive said
the government continues to push for reforms in the ARMM in order to attain
genuine peace and order in the region.
"Kung kapayapaan na
lang din po ang usapan, dumako naman tayo sa lugar na matagal naging mukha ng
mga mithiing ‘di makamtan-kamtan. Bago po magsimula ang mga reporma natin sa
ARMM, at alam naman po n’yo, may mga ghost students doon, na naglalakad sa
isang ghost road, tungo sa isang ghost school, para magpaturo sa isang ghost
teacher," he said.
"Iniimbestigahan na
rin ang mga teacher na hindi lumilitaw ang pangalan sa talaan ng Professional
Regulation Commission, gayundin ang mga tauhan ng gobyernong hindi nakalista sa
plantilya. Limampu’t limang ghost entry ang tinanggal sa payroll. Ang dating
paulit-ulit na pagsasaboy ng graba sa kalsada para lang pagkakitaan ng pera,
bawal na," he said.
The President lauded
Officer-In-Charge Govenor Mujiv Hataman for the reforms in the region,
including the cleansing of the voters' list. "Wala nang cash advance sa
mga ahensya, para maiwasan ang pagsasamantala. Ang mga multo sa voters list,
mapapatahimik na ang kaluluwa," he said.
"Ang pumalit po ---
pabahay, tulay, at learning center para sa mga Badjao sa Basilan. Mga
community-based hatchery, lambat, materyales para maglinang ng seaweeds, at
punlang napakinabangan ng 2,588 na mangingisda. Certified seeds, punla ng gabi,
cassava, goma, at mga punong namumunga para sa 145,121 na magsasaka," he
said.
The President said the
government allocates more funds for the ARMM's development. He said the
government set aside P183 million for fire stations; P515 million for clean
drinking water; P551.9 million for health-care equipment; P691.9 million for
daycare centers; and P2.85 billion for the roads and bridges across the region.
"Ilan lang po iyan
sa patutunguhan ng kabuuang 8.59 billion pesos na ipinagkaloob ng pambansang
gobyerno para isakatuparan ang mga reporma sa ARMM. Lilinawin ko rin po: hindi
pa kasama rito ang taunang suportang natatanggap nila, na ngayong 2012 ay
umabot sa 11.7 billion pesos," he stressed.
"Sa peace process
naman po: hayag at lantaran ang usapan; nagpapamalas ang magkabilang panig ng
tiwala sa isa’t isa. Maaaring minsan, magiging masalimuot ang proseso; signos
lang po ito na malapit na nating makamit ang nag-iisa nating mithiin--- ang
kapayapaan," he said. (js)
