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| 28 JULY 2008 |
| PGMA bats for extension of CARP |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo batted today for the extension of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARP) as a priority national agenda, and
the elimination of the “rackets” that have despoiled land reform. In her State of the Nation Address (SONA) this afternoon at the Batasan in Quezon City, the President said that “there are those who say that agrarian reform is a failure, that our rice importations prove it. There are those who say it is a success—if only because anything is better than nothing. Indeed, people are happier owning the land they work, no matter what the difficulties.” She pointed out that in her 2001 SONA “sinabi ko, bawat taon, mamamahagi tayo ng dalawang daang libong ektarya sa reporma sa lupa: 100,000 hectares of private farmland and 100,000 of public farmland, including ancestral domains. Di hamak mahigit sa target ang naipamahagi natin sa nakaraang pitong taon: 854,000 hectares of private farmland, 797,000 of public farmland, and Certificates of Ancestral Domain for 525,000 hectares. Including, over a 100,000 hectares for Bugkalots in Quirino, Aurora, and Nueva Vizcaya.” “Agrarian reform,” she said, “should not merely subdivide misery, it must raise living standards. Ownership raises the farmer from his but productivity will keep him on his feet. “Sinimula ng aking ama ang land reform noong 1963. Upang mabuo ito, the extension of CARP with reforms is top priority. I will continue to do all I can for the rural as well as urban poor. Ayaw natin na paglaya ng tenant sa landlord, mapapasa-ilalim naman sa usurero. Former tenants must be empowered to become agribusinessmen by allowing their land to be used as collateral. She added: “Dapat mapalaya ng reporma sa lupa ang magsasaka sa pagiging alipin sa iba. Dapat bigyan ang magsasaka ng dangal bilang taong malaya at di hawak ninuman. We must curb the recklessness that gives land without the means to make it productive and bites off more than beneficiaries can chew. “At the same time, I want the rackets out of agrarian reform: the threats to take and therefore undervalue land, the conspiracies to overvalue it. “Be with me on this. There must be a path where justice and progress
converge. Let us find it before Christmas. Dapat nating linisin ang landas
para sa mga ibig magpursige sa pagsasaka, taglay ang pananalig na ang lupa
ay sasagip sa atin sa huli kung gamitin natin ito nang maayos,” she said. |
| PGMA asks Congress to pass 5 urgent legislative measures |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in her Eighth State of the Nation Address
(SONA) during the opening of 2nd Regular Session of the 14th Congress today,
asked legislators to pass five urgent bills. These are: 1. A more stringent Anti-Graft Act. In justifying her request, the President said: “More advanced corruption practices require a commensurate advances in legislative responses.” 2. The Consumer Bill of Rights. “Sa pagmamahal ng bilihin, hirap na ang mamimili—tapos, dadayain pa. Dapat itong mahinto. Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na magpasa ng Consumer Bill of Rights laban sa price gouging, false advertising at iba pang gawain kontra sa mamimili.” 3. Legislative and political reforms that will lead to a just and lasting
peace in Southern Philippines during her term of office. The President
recalled that in her 2006 SONA, she identified the ciountry’s food baskets
as North Luzon and Mindanao. “The prime reason is the endless Mindanao conflict. A comprehensive peace has eluded us for half a century. But last night, differences on the tough issue of ancestral domain were resolved. Yes, there are political dynamics among the people of Mindanao. Let us sort them out with the utmost sobriety, patience and restraint. I ask Congress to act on the legislative and political reforms that will lead to a just and lasting peace during our term of office,” she added. 4. Passage of a bill allowing SSS to do housing beyond the present 10 percent limitation. “Pag-Ibig housing loans increased from P3.82 billion in 2001 to P22.6
billion in 2007. This year it experienced an 84% increase in the first four
months alone. Super heating na. Dapat dagdagan ng GSIS at buksan muli ng SSS
ang pautang sa pabahay. I ask Congress to pass a bill allowing SSS to do
housing loans beyond the present 10% limitation,” the President said. The President said that “agrarian reform should not merely subdivide misery, it must raise living standards. Ownership raises the farmer from this but productivity will keep him on his feet. “Sinimula ng aking ama ang land reform noong 1963. Upang mabuo ito, the extension of CARP with reforms is top priority. I will continue to do all I can for the rural as well as urban poor. Ayaw natin na paglaya ng tenant sa landlord, mapapasa-ilalim naman sa usurero. Former tenants must be empowered to become agribusinessmen by allowing their land to be used as collateral,” she said. “Dapat mapalaya ng reporma sa lupa ang magsasaka sa pagiging alipin sa iba. Dapat bigyan ang magsasaka ng dangal bilang taong malaya at di hawak ninuman. We must curb the recklessness that gives land without the means to make it productive and bites off more than beneficiaries can chew. “At the same time, I want the rackets out of agrarian reform: the threats to take and therefore undervalue land, the conspiracies to overvalue it. “Be with me on this. There must be a path where justice and progress converge. Let us find it before Christmas. Dapat nating linisin ang landas para sa mga ibig magpursige sa pagsasaka, taglay ang pananalig na ang lupa ay sasagip sa atin sa huli kung gamitin natin ito nang maayos,” she added. |
| PGMA urges Congress to enact more stringent anti-graft laws |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on Congress today to enact more
“stringent” laws against graft, saying “more advanced corruption practices
require commensurate advances in legislative responses.” In her State of the Nation Address (SONA) this afternoon at the Batasan in Quezon City, the President underscored the need to strengthen the country’s institutions of governance to fight the decades-old scourge of corruption.” She vowed to continue the fight against corruption without letup. “While others are happy with headlines through accusation without evidence and privilege speeches without accountability, we have allocated more than P3 billion – the largest anti-graft fund in our history – for real evidence gathering and vigorous prosecution,” she said. “From its dismal past record, the Ombudsman’s conviction rate has increased 500%. Lifestyle checks, never seriously implemented before our time, have led to the dismissal and/or criminal prosecution of dozens of corrupt officials,” she added. The President pointed out that she had met recently with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US agency that provides grants to countries based on governance. “They have commended our gains, contributed P1 billion to our fight against graft, and declared us eligible for more grants,” she said. “Last September, we created the Procurement Transparency Group in the DBM and linked it with business, academe, and the Church, to deter or catch anomalies in government contracts. “On my instruction, the BIR and Customs established similar government-civil society tie-ups for information gathering and tax evasion and smuggling monitoring,” she added. “Sa pagmahal ng bilihin, hirap na ang mamimili – tapos, dadayain pa. Dapat itong mahinto. Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na magpasa ng Consumer Bill of Rights laban sa price gouging, false advertising at iba pang gawain kontra sa mamimili. “I call on all our government workers at the national and local levels to be more responsive and accountable to the people. Panahon ito ng pagsubok. Kung saan kayang tumulong at dapat tumulong ang pamahalaan, we must be there with a helping hand. Where government can contribute nothing useful, stay away. Let’s be more helpful, more courteous, more quick," the President said. |
| Modern and traditional Filipiniana couture dominate ladies' dress code for PGMA's 8th SONA |
| Like the State of the Nation Addresses (SONA) in the past, a sidelight of
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's 8th SONA was the amazing display of
elegantly, intricately and beautifully designed dresses donned by lady
members of Congress and female guests. These ladies had added a touch of elegance and royalty to the highly anticipated yearly event that provides a venue for the President to showcase the government's achievements in relation to its development programs and tracks the nation's direction for the future. Filipiniana was the order of the day and most, if not all ladies present, made sure to exploit it to the hilt. Among the most notable of these ladies were: socialite Rosemarie Baby Arenas who arrived in an immaculate white dress with ruffles and Aubrey Zubiri, wife of administration Sen. Miguel Zubiri who looked stunning in a Rajo Laurel aquamarine Filipiniana dress. Not to be outdone, Rep. Cynthia Villar, wife of Senate President Manuel Villar, gamely answered questions from the media in a beautiful violet long gown with a matching sequined Filipiniana-style top that accentuated her eyes. First son Mickey Arroyo looked svelte in his custom-made handcrafted barong while his wife Angela exuded a fresh but elegant aura in her all white Filipiniana dress. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago also came in Filipiniana dress but decided to go against the usual white or off-white color combination by using pink. The eye-catchers of the day were Senators Pia Cayetano and Loren Legarda who took the occasion to display their own individual style and "blow" the competition away. Cayetano came in a green "modern Maria Clara"-styled dress that was
designed by top Filipino designer Mia Ortico. But of course, no one and nothing could beat the star of the show, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose fuschia-pink number was crafted to showcase Filipino talent. Press Secretary Jesus Dureza Sunday said the President's gown, whose fabric consisted of a natural blend of silk and pineapple fibers was produced in Misamis Oriental and handcrafted by JC Buendia, a favourite of the President's who also designed the her past SONA gowns. |
| PGMA presents once-underprivileged Filipinos who were helped by her administration’s programs |
| Pointing out that she spends time everyday with the under-privileged in her
continuous city and provincial sorties, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
today produced the faces of formerly under-privileged Filipinos who have
since risen from their poverty and more than doubled their incomes because
of the pro-masa programs instituted by her administration. “I spend time everyday with the under-privileged and under-represented who cannot get a grip on their lives in the daily, all-consuming struggle to make ends meet,” pointed out the President who first presented Federico Alvarez, a jeepney driver who has since more than doubled his income because of the anti-kotong measures set in place by the government. “Para sa mga namamasada at namamasahe sa dyip, sinusugpo natin ang kotong at colorum upang mapataas ang kita ng mga tsuper. “Si Federico Alvarez kumita ng P200 a day sa kanyang rutang Cubao-Rosario. Tinaas ito ng anti-kotong, anti- colorum. Ngayon, P500 na ang kita niya. Iyan ang paraan kung paano napananatili ang dagdag-pasahe sa piso lamang – halaga ng isang text,” the President said. Next to be presented was 13-year-old Rodney Berdin of Barangay Rombang, Belison, Antique who had saved his drowning mother and two siblings from the rampaging Sibalom River at the height of typhoon Frank at month-end last month. “As a tribute to the likes of Rodney Berdin…” the Arroyo administration had released P1 billion for typhoon Frank victims even as the President added that she also supports a supplemental Western Visayas calamity budget from value-added tax (VAT) proceeds. The third to be presented by President Arroyo was Edwin Bandila, 48 years old, of Ugalingan, Carmen, North Cotabato who had cultivated just one hectare, and produced only 35 cavans from the said lone hectare of rice land. With the administration’s irrigation programs finally reaching him, “now he cultivates five hectares and produces 97 cavans per hectare -- mabuhay, Edwin!” the President enthused as she revealed that new irrigation systems plus the restoration of old systems “have increased our nation’s irrigated land to a historic 1.5 million hectares.” The Arroyo administration’s land reform accomplishments since 2001 have also awarded to landless farmers a total of 854,000 hectares of private farmland and 797,000 of public farmland, aside from releasing ancestral-domain certificates covering 525,000 hectares, the President enthused. Of the ancestral domains finally recognized and awarded were “over 100,000 hectares for Bugkalots in Quirino, Aurora and Nueva Vizcaya” where a Bugkalot chieftain -- Rosario Camma who has since been elected as town mayor of Nagtipunan, Quirino -- “helped his 15,000-member tribe develop irrigation, plant vegetables and corn, and achieve food sufficiency.” The President -- who has been pushing technical education for instant in-demand jobs for the masses – also presented supply officer Jessica Barlomento and three lady welders who now work for Korean locator, shipbuilder Hanjin, namely, Shenve Catana, Marie Grace Comendador and Marlyn Tusi. “In training, 7.74 million took technical and vocational courses over the last seven years, double the number in the previous 14 years. In 2007 alone, 1.7 million graduated,” said the President. The Chief Executive also cited upland development through agro-forestry, presenting two successful forest entrepreneurs, starting with Victoria Mindoro, 56 years old, who “used to earn P5,000 a month as farmer and factory worker (and) now she owns 10 hectares in the Goodyear Agrarian Reform Community in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay (where) she earns P10,000 a week.” The President also cited couple Pedro and Concordia Faviolas of Makilala, North Cotabato who were able to send their six children to college with their P15,000 a month earnings from their now three hectares of agro-forest plantation. And the last face of success to be presented -- but not the least in jump in income – was Alan Amanse, a 40-year-old college undergraduate and father of two from Donsol, Sorsogon. Formerly earning only P100 a day from both fishing and tricycle driving, Amanse now earns P1,000 a day as a whaleshark-watching officer in his hometown, site of one of over 100 marine and fish sanctuaries set up by the Arroyo administration since 2001. In presenting real faces of actual successes in the level of the masa, President Arroyo had stressed early on in her SONA 2008, thus: “Nag-aalala ako para sa naka-aawang maybahay na pasan ang pananagutan para sa buong pamilya. Nag-aalala ako para sa sa magsasakang nasa unang hanay ng pambansang produksyon ng pagkain ngunit nagsisikap pakanin ang pamilya…” In closing, President Arroyo stressed, thus: “Kaakibat ng ating mga adhikain ang tuloy na pagkalinga sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Iisa ang ating pangarap – maunlad at mapayapang lipunan, kung saan ang magandang kinabukasan ay hindi pangarap lamang, bagkus natutupad.” |
| PGMA asks Congress to pass a bill on legislative and political reforms for lasting peace in Mindanao |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged today Congress to work on
legislative and political reforms that will lead to a just and lasting peace
in Mindanao during her term which will end in 2010. The President, in her 8th State-of-the-Nation Address delivered this afternoon before the joint session of the 14th Congress at the Batasan Complex, Quezon City noted that in spite of Mindanao being a food basket, “it has some of the highest hunger in our nation.” “It has large fields of high productivity yet also six out of ten poorest provinces,” she noted. “The prime reason is the endless Mindanao conflict. A comprehensive peace has eluded us for half a century. But last night differences on the tough issue of ancestral domain were resolved,” she said. The President there might be kinks in the talks, but added that it was better that the panels were talking than fighting. "Yes, there are political dynamics among the people in Mindanao. Let us sort them out with the outmost sobriety, patience and restraint. The demands of decency and compassion urge dialogue. Better talk than fight, if nothing of sovereign value is anyway lost. Dialogue has achieved more than confrontation in many parts of the world," she said. The President endorsed last week while she was in Shariff Kabunsuan province the postponement of the election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) scheduled August 11 to pave the way for the progress of the talks with the MILF. One of the agreements between the government and the MILF was for the holding of a plebiscite that would expand the ARMM to include some 700 villages in five provinces. The government and the MILF are scheduled to sign the final draft of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain next week. |
| PGMA bares achievements of her administration, challenges, prospects ahead for Filipino people |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo laid out before the
Filipino people today the achievements her administration has made, her
plans for the country, the challenges as well as the prospects ahead for the
Philippines “at a crucial moment in world history.” In a no-frills, down-to-earth State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President said that just a few months ago, the country was making unprecedented economic growth, with the inflation down, a strong peso and a million jobs created. “We were looking to a better, brighter future,” she said. “Because tough choices were made, kumilos na ang bayan sa wakas. Malapit na sana tayo sa pagbalanse ng budget. We were retiring debts in great amounts, reducing the drag on our country’s development, habang namumuhunan sa taong bayan,” she added. Then, all of a sudden, the global economy was caught in a crisis “worst than the Great Depression and the end of World War II,” she said. She said that whatever the reasons for the turmoil besetting the world economy, “we are on a roller coaster ride of oil price hikes, high food prices and looming economic recession in the US and other markets. Uncertainty has moved like a terrible tsunami around the globe, wiping away gains, erasing progress.” The President admitted that the complexities of the time defy simple and easy solutions. Unlike the 1997 financial crisis that swept the region, the current one has rendered everyone a “victim, rich countries and poor, though certainly some can take more punishment than others.” “To address these global challenges, we must go on building and buttressing bridges to allies around the world: to bring in the rice to feed our people, investments to create jobs; and to keep the peace and maintain stability in our country and the rest of the world . . . (while striving) for greater self-reliance,” she said. Fortunately, owing to the tough decisions made by the government, the President said the “global crisis did not catch us helpless and unprepared. Through foresight, grit and political will, we built a shield around our country that has slowed down and somewhat softened the worst effects of the global crisis. We have the money to care for our people and pay for food when there are shortages; for fuel despite price spokes.” In her hourlong address, which 105 times applauded, the President pointed out that: “My responsibility as President is to take care to solve the problems we are facing now to provide a vision and direction for how our nation should advance in the future.” She said the rising prices of oil and food will remain for the next few years, thus the need for long-term solutions, adding that the government has put in place various programs that will cushion the impact on the poor. The President stressed that the poor are those who suffer most as they “cannot get a grip on their lives in the daily, all-consuming struggle to make ends meet” thus, the need to give them “special care and attention in this great hour of need.” “How do we solve these many complex challenges?” The President said: “First, we must have a targeted strategy with set of precise prescriptions to ease the price challenges we are facing.” Second, “food self-sufficiency; less energy dependence; greater self-reliance in our attitude as a people and in our posture as a nation.’’ Third, the President stressed, “short-term relief cannot be at the expense of long –term reforms” as these reforms will not only benefit the next generation but the next President as well. She noted that the Philippines was in a better position to face the present global challenge as the economy grew an unprecedented 7.3 percent last year, but added that “this is a complex time that defies simple and easy solutions” as both the rich and poor countries are victims. Thanks to the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT), the government has funds for programs that will help the poor cushion the impact of rising fuel and food prices. “Take VAT away and you and I abdicate our responsibility as leaders and pull the rug from under our present and future progress, which may be compromised by the global crisis,” the President said. She stressed the need to be self-reliant in rice production through the use of hybrid seeds and putting in place important farming infrastructures such as irrigation projects, farm-to-market roads, and post-harvest facilities. She also stressed the need to extend the life of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law which is set to expire in December this year. “The extension of CARP with reforms is a priority,” the President said. “To meet the challenge today, we will feed our people now, not later, and help them get through these hard times. To meet the challenges of tomorrow, we must become more self-reliant, self-sufficient and independent, relying on ourselves more than on the world,” she said. As with the global food challenge, the President said the global energy crunch demands ”better and more focused resource mobilization, conservation and management” as she pushed for the passage by Congress of the Renewable Energy Bill as the country works on lesser dependence on fossil energy. She also underscored the need to protect the environment and address the challenge of climate change that has contributed to lesser food production. The Chief Executive also underlined the need to strengthen institutions of governance to fight the decades-old scourge of corruption. “I will continue to fight this battle every single day,” the President stressed, adding that there is a need for Congress to enact a more stringent anti-graft law as well as a Consumers Bill of Rights to protect the consumers from price gouging, false advertising, among others, in these times of spiraling prices. But most importantly, the President said, there is a need for all sectors to unite and be more responsible. “Sama –sama tayo sa tungkuling ito. May papel na gagampanan ang bawat mamamayan, negosyante, pinunong bayan at simbahan,sampu ng mga lalawigan,” she said. “As your President, I care too much about this nation to let anyone stand in the way of our people’s well-being. I will let no one—and no one’s political gains—threaten our nation’s survival,” she said. |
| PGMA stands firm on not scrapping VAT |
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Amid clamor from various sectors for President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo to scrap the implementation of the value added tax (VAT),
specifically the 12 percent imposed on petroleum products, as prices of oil
and food continue to rise in the global market, the President reiterated her
position not to forego its implementation. The President disclosed her unbending stand on the implementation of the VAT in her 8th State-of-the-Nation Address delivered today before the joint session of the 14th Congress. “Napakahalaga and Value Added Tax sa pagharap ng hamong ito,” the President said of the twin global challenge of rising fuel and food prices. The President said the VAT has also been the solution to problems her administration inherited from past administrations. “Una, nabawasan ang ating mga utang and shore up our fiscal independence. Pangalawa, higit na pamumuhunan para sa mamamayan at imprastraktura. Pangatlo, sapat na pondo para sa programang pang-masa,” the President said. “Take VAT away and you and I abdicate our responsibility as leaders and pull the rug from under our present and future progress, which may be compromised by the global crisis,” she added. She cited that because of the implementation of VAT, investor confidence has increased and the peso strengthened. The President also said if the VAT on oil will be scrapped, only the rich will benefit as 84 percent of oil and 90 percent of power are consumed by the rich. “Take away VAT and we strip our people of the means to ride out the world food and energy crises,” she stressed. She said the government has gone too far and had made many sacrifices to increase revenue collection badly needed to fund pro-poor projects. Last June, some P4 billion were released from VAT collections on petroleum products. Of this amount, P2 billion were used to subsidize power consumption of lifeline users or those consuming less than 100 kilowatt hour a month, P1 billion for college scholarships, P500 million for conversion of diesel-fed public utility vehicles to LPG or CNG and P500 million for fluorescent lamps in exchange for incandescent lamps used in public places. In the additional P4 billion “Katas ng VAT,” another P1 billion will be for power subsidy for the poorest of the poor, P500 million for senior citizens who are not SSS or GSIS pensioners, P500 million for the upgrading of primary hospitals to secondary healthcare facilities, P500 million for the wives of public utility drivers to start their small business, and the rest for calamity stricken areas. She said the P1.5 billion remaining will be for calamity stricken areas. |
| PGMA: “We have the money to care for our people and pay for food when there are shortages” |
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“We have the money to care for our people and pay for
food when there are shortages; for fuel despite price spikes.” Thus stressed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today in her widely-applauded 8th State of the Nation Address (SONA) where she pointed out that “through foresight, grit and political will, we built a shield around our country that has slowed down and somewhat softened the worst effects of the global crisis.” “To address these global challenges, we must go on building and buttressing bridges to allies around the world: to bring in the rice to feed our people, investments to create jobs; and to keep the peace and maintain stability in our country and the rest of the world. “Yet, even as we reach out to those who need, and who may need us, we strive for greater self-reliance,” added President Arroyo in her no-frills hour-long SONA 2008. Stressing that “because tough choices were made, the global crisis did not catch us helpless and unprepared,” the Chief Executive nonetheless pointed out that unlike in the 1997 financial crisis, “it is hard to identify villains” in this global crisis (as) everyone seems to be a victim, rich countries and poor, though certainly some can take more punishment than others.” “Neither we nor anyone else in the world expected this day to come so soon but we prepared for it. For the guts not to flinch in the face of tough choices, I thank God. For the wisdom to recognize how needed you are, I thank, you Congress. For footing the bill, I thank the taxpayers. “The result has been, on the one hand, ito ang nakasalba sa bayan; and, on the other, more unpopularity for myself in the opinion polls. Yet, even unfriendly polls show self-rated poverty down to its 20-year low in 2007,” the President enthused. “I address you today at a crucial moment in world history. Just a few months ago, we ended 2007 with the strongest economic growth in a generation. Inflation was low, the peso strong and a million new jobs were created. We were all looking to a better, brighter future. “Because tough choices were made, kumikilos na ang bayan sa wakas. Malapit na sana tayo sa pagbalanse ng budget. We were retiring debts in great amounts, reducing the drag on our country’s development, habang namumuhunan sa taong bayan. “Biglang-bigla, nabaligtad ang ekonomiya ng mundo. Ang pagtalon ng presyo ng langis at pagkain ay nagbunsod ng pandaigdigan krisis, the worst since the Great Depression and the end of World War II. “Some blame speculators moving billions of dollars from subprime mortgages to commodities like fuel and food. Others point of the very real surge in demand as millions of Chinese and Indians move up to the middle class. “Whatever the reasons, we are on a roller coaster ride of oil price hikes, high food prices and looming economic recession in the US and other markets. Uncertainty has moved like a terrible tsunami around the globe, wiping away gains, erasing progress,” the President lamented. But while noting that “this is a complex time that defies simple and easy solutions,” the President committed: “My responsibility as President is to take care to solve the problems we are facing now and to provide a vision and direction for how our nation should advance in the future.” |
| Reaction to the President’s SONA |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that the
tough and unpopular choices she made were in response to the needs of the
time which call for decisive action and not rhetorics. Because of strong economic fundamentals and other reforms, the country was not caught flat-footed and was able to accomplish more despite the challenges posed by global uncertainties that include the spike in oil and fuel prices, the President said in her State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasan in Quezon City this afternoon. The President’s much-applauded speech was an accomplishment report backed up by facts and solutions even as she also called for everyone to unite to sustain our gains and further soften the impact of spiraling oil and food prices in the global market. Here are some reactions to the President’s SONA this afternoon: “All her statements are verifiable. As a lawyer, I am convinced of her argumentation,” Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said, adding that she would consider and study the President’s proposed bills for possible filing this month. “Ipinakita ng Pangulo na talagang mayroong nakikinabang sa kanyang mga programa,” Deputy House Speaker Roilo Golez said. “It was well received. It shows that our President is really a hands-on President. The facts are supported by figures,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said. “Dapat suportahan natin at igalang ang pamamalakad niya. Nananawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan na suportahan ang ating mahal na Pangulo para lalong umunlad tayo,” – People’s champ Manny Pacquiao said. “Lalo akong naniniwala na sa susunod na buwan o taon mas maganda ang patutunguhan tungo sa katahimikan sa Mindanao,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process retired General Herrmogenes Esperon on the President’s disclosure that the contentious issue on the ancestral domain has finally been settled between the GRP and the MILF negotiators in Kuala Lumpur last night. On the implementation of the expanded value-added tax, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said: “Naipaliwanag ng Pangulo na kailangan ang salapi na nanggagaling sa VAT para maipatupad ang mga programa niya para sa mahihirap lalung-lalo na sa ganitong panahon na ang lahat ng bansa ay apektado sa global commodity and energy crisis. Hindi lamang sa pagsuporta sa ganitong sitwasyon kundi iyong long-term prospect na kailangan ang perang iyan para pandagdag sa mga social services facilities at infrastructure na makakapagpatibay sa ating ekonomiya. The more we become self reliant in food, independent in energy, the more we will be strong and even stronger as a nation,” Teves. On the subsidies for the poor, Teves said: “Base sa obserbasyon kahit sa ibang bansa, sa umpisa, dahil sa pagtaas ng mga presyo ng bilihin at sa atin marami talagang mahihirap ay kailangang suportahan natin sila itong tinatawag na targeted spending on conditional fund transfer. On the long term, turuan natin silang mangisda or iyong sinasabi nating teach a man how to fish. Pero sa ngayon kailangan nating bigyan sila ng pagkain para meron silang strength to learn how to catch a fish. Temporary lang po ito. Ang long-term ang pagbibigay ng trabaho para meron silang income on a sustainable basis.” “Isang matinding hamon sa Department of Agriculture na ang atensiyon po ng Pilipinas ay nasa agriculture sa food production. Ang atensiyon po ng buong mundo nasa food production. Maganda ang mensahe ng Presdiente -- self reliance – we cannot rely on anybody else but the Filipino. Food security, self sufficiency ang ating national policy ngayon sa pagkain. Ang pondo mula sa VAT dapat maipababa sa mas maraming proyekto para sa mga patubigan, mga lansangan, sa NFA rice para makinabang ang mas nakararami nating kababayan,” Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said. “The President spoke with facts and figures and they were supported by specific records of achievement. I do not think that critics can dispute that. But I think we should not pay much attention to the critics, our focus should be on governance and that is where the President’s focus is,” Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales. |
