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From Day 1, the
Macapagal-Arroyo Administration has been bold in its ambition for the Filipino, definite
in its direction and swift in its action. Under the President's leadership, priorities
have been identified, policies defined and implementing mechanisms set in place to achieve
the government's vision. Clearly, the accomplishments in the first 100 days show concerted
efforts by the entire bureaucracy to push the Administration's agenda, especially for the
poor.
Commitment to the Four Core Tenets
At the President's inaugural on January 20, she made a commitment to a
governance program anchored on four core tenets. In her view, high moral standards in
government and society are necessary as a solid foundation for good governance. Moreover,
to implement true reforms, a new politics based on policies, programs and consultation
with the people has to evolve. And only through leadership by example can the government
cultivate a work ethic and a dignified lifestyle among all public servants. Ultimately,
good governance, new politics and leadership by example shall help win the war against
poverty within this decade.
In the first 100 days, the groundwork has already been laid for a
marked improvement in the quality of life of the Filipino in the next three years. The
poor, in particular, deserve the chance to assume responsibility for their well-being and
seize opportunities for growth and development. When measured, this goal should translate
into a reduction in poverty incidence to 28%. That would amount to 2 million Filipinos
lifted out of destitution by 2004.
Confidence in Government
In this light, the first order of business of the Arroyo government was
to restore confidence in government. Restoring stability, after the political crisis and
economic breakdown caused by the misdeeds of the Estrada presidency, demanded concerted
action from Day One. Specifically, it was urgent to unify the nation anew and address its
burgeoning budget deficit and other economic woes. A solid foundation for poverty
reduction and sustained growth also had to be laid.
The selection of the Cabinet and other key officials of known probity
and high moral standards signaled that the Administration meant business. A 100-day plan
was at once put into action. Immediately, projects with wide impact were launched.
Consultations were instituted to get the people's views on a broad range of issues.
Summits on employment and the garbage problem were convened.
Further, other avenues for public interaction with the President were opened. The Text GMA
project, Sundays at Malacanang, visits to far-flung areas, numerous meetings and
dialogues, and the President's day at the Presidential Action Center (PACE) enabled the
people to reach out to her and vice-versa. The government continued to touch base with all
sectors in the hope that each will work toward the attainment of the country's goals.
As a result, stability was achieved without mass purges and undue
interference in the courts or Congress, without muzzling dissent and compromising human
rights and democratic institutions. And without compromising justice. The arrest of the
former president Joseph Estrada and his son Jinggoy on plunder charges shows that justice
can still be served.
Meanwhile, avenues for peace with the MILF and the NDF/CPP have been
opened. Seeing the peace process to fruition is of utmost importance, for only with
sustained peace can development move forward. Bringing peace and development to Mindanao
continues to be a main preoccupation of government.
Economic Recovery
The revival of the economy is on the way. Although this task will take
longer than setting up a government, promising strides have been made. The revival of
business confidence has largely stabilized the peso and is luring capital back. Foreign
investors have taken an interest in the Philippines anew. Foreign equity investments
soared to P600 million in the first month of the Administration, up 162% over a year ago.
The Bangko Sentral estimates a net inflow of $23 million from January 1 to March 9,
reversing a net outflow of $143 million a year ago. Likewise, the Securities and Exchange
Commission registered 1,410 new corporations from February 1 to mid March with authorized
capital of nearly P20 billion, 63% more than a year ago.
A generally accommodative monetary policy has kept inflation low while
providing sufficient liquidity to spur economic growth. Inflation stabilized at a steady
rate of 6.7% from March to April, within the govern-ment's target of 6% to 7% for the
whole year.
As banks remain the major source of financial services to various
sectors, including poor and low-income households, authorities continue to implement
reforms through the General Banking Law of 2000, toward streamlining the system, enhancing
competition, improving transparency, allowing greater foreign ownership, and promoting
electronic banking.
The economic team is taking steps to bring the budget deficit down to
P145 billion for the year while maintaining a level of spending necessary for sustainable
growth and poverty alleviation. Innovative measures are being implemented to raise money
and cut expenses. Small-denomination Philippine bonds are being issued. Luxury cars and
other extravagant government assets, such as the Ang Pangulo yacht, the Mansion House golf
course in Baguio, will be sold.
Aggressive tax collection mechanisms will be implemented. The Lateral
Attrition Bill will be pushed in the next Congress to give incentives for collection
agents at the BIR and Customs. But fiscal prudence shall not mean slashing essential
services to the people.
The War on Poverty
At the heart of the government's agenda is addressing social inequities
born of disempowerment, marginalization and vulnerability of the majority of Filipinos.
First, an anti-poverty strategy has been formulated based on the core thrusts of asset
redistribution, human development services, participation in governance and
institution-building, protection from violence and increasing livelihood opportunities.
In addition, developing a holistic poverty reduction strategy has also
been made the overarching thrust of the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan. Third,
steps have been taken to revitalize the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act and make
it more. Existing anti-poverty programs have been strengthened and new ones launched to
boost the government's ability to fill health, education, housing, welfare and development
needs. All these policies and more aim to lift some 2 million Filipinos out of destitution
and bring down poverty incidence to about 28% by 2004.
The war on poverty is a daily battle, as the government and citizens,
including the poor, try to open avenues and enable the poor to take care of their
well-being. Victory can never be won through palliative measures. Rather, each individual
has to first put his house in order. That is the biggest challenge to everyone, including
the government.
For the next three years, the Administration would have to face five
major challenges. First, in light of limited resources, fiscal prudence must be practiced,
balanced with the need to deliver services and programs for the poor. Innovative financing
and efficient targeting of services have to be studied. Revenue generation should be
intensified to tame the deficit and still fund development projects.
Second, better services for the poor do not completely resolve the
poverty issue. There must also be equity in the distribution of services, as well as
social reforms, particularly asset redistribution. Third, harnessing the collective
energies of all stakeholders, including civil society and the public at large, is
necessary to enable government leaders to become rooted in the sentiments and concerns of
various constituent sectors. Consultations need to be institutionalized.
Fourth, the government must not only welcome the fruits of
globalization, but also recognize its adverse impact on marginalized sectors. Thus, the
nation can adopt a healthy mix of policies and programs that safeguard every citizen's
right to a decent living even as economic competitiveness is promoted. Fifth, the core
values of good governance, new politics and leadership by example must reach the lowest
rung of government and be the guidepost in the conduct of every public servant.
Mechanisms to address these challenges are in place. The Cabinet and
the five Cabinet Clusters on priority programs serve as the means to resolve bottlenecks
and push forward the President's anti-poverty agenda. Weekly Cabinet meetings ensure that
emergent issues and concerns are promptly addressed and efforts are orchestrated toward
desired goals. The Cabinet Clusters on Socially Equitable Agricultural Modernization,
Public Services, Safety Nets, Tourism and Information and Communications Technology push
the President's agenda in their priority areas.
Legislative Agenda for Re-Energized Government
The Cabinet Clusters will also work and lobby for bills necessary to
attain the government's agenda for the people. Aside from allowing different agencies to
discuss and resolve inter-agency concerns, the clusters are also a venue for civil society
to participate meaningfully in governance. Among the priority measures on the
Administration's legislative agenda are:
- Supplemental Budget of P10.9 billion for 2001, to augment
priority measures not sufficiently covered by the re-enacted budget. Among them are salary
upgrades for PNP uniformed personnel, higher veterans' pensions, a 5% salary increase for
national government employees, and funding for foreign-assisted projects.
- Power Sector Reform Bill, to restructure the power industry,
increase its efficiency, and privatize the National Power Corporation, thereby reducing
power costs and generating much needed revenues for government
- Amendment to the Central Bank Act, to strengthen the Bangko
Sentral's supervisory and enforcement powers
- Sustainable Management of Forest Resources, to provide for,
among others, the adoption of a sustainable forest management strategy, a permanent ban on
commercial logging in certain protected forest lands, and the creation of a Sustainable
Forestry Development Fund
- Plant Variety Act, to establish a National Plant Variety
Protection Board and institutionalize mechanisms to protect and employ new and
high-yielding plant varieties. The proposed measure also aims to comply with certain
provisions of the WTO-TRIPS pact.
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Moving
Forward As One Nation
During her inaugural, the President acknowledged that the task ahead is
formidable and only if the nation is one in priorities, values and commitments can we
achieve our goals. The eruption of anti-government protests, which culminated in the May 1
assault on Malacanang, underscores both the imperative to end the mass poverty enslaving
the bodies and spirits of countless Filipinos, and the danger posed by divisive forces
exploiting the desperation of marginalized sectors.
Clearly, the government and the citizenry must come together in common
cause for real, equitable development, not destructive class war. First, we must heal and
build together as a nation. Then we can march forward together and live up to the ideals
of true People Power. |
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