Midterm review of the Daang Matuwid

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is the message delivered by the President of the Philippines at the opening of every regular session of the Congress.

Last July 23, 2012, President Noynoy Aquino delivered his third SONA. It has been reported that this SONA focused on what the administration had achieved within its three years, without pertaining to the national focus it had to tread on for the succeeding years. This same SONA, however, also presented to every Filipino that change is indeed possible.

On governance

Fighting corruption is a major agenda among the platforms of this administration. The administration not only wants to promote but also embody transparency, institutionalized accountability, and enhanced public participation in governance.

The administration had filed electoral sabotage complaints against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. Impeachment cases were also filed against former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez for betrayal of public trust but she eventually resigned from office, while former Chief Justice Renato Corona was convicted and removed from office for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution.

Plunder cases were also filed against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) generals for alleged misuse of national defense funds. Moreover, the issue of wasted billions by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for coffee, issue on the arms and helicopters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the debts were the problems inherited from the previous administration.

The removal of “wang-wang” was achieved to prove that the government is one with the citizens in clamoring for change. His administration resolved various budget issues of different agencies and made the people responsible and own up to their misdemeanor.

On business and economy

With good governance efforts, the country has developed a strong force in terms of business climate which brought about positive credit rating, increase of investments and soaring economic growth.

According to the Official Gazette, these efforts resulted to more evocative jobs for the people especially in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure and tourism. 3.1 million new jobs were created in two years that has taken effect on unemployment rate which decreased from 8.0 percent to 7.0 percent.

The soaring of economic growth started in the 4th quarter of 2011, growing by 6.4 percent in the 1st quarter of 2012 which was a record higher than the predicted rate of 4.8 percent. From the 6.4 percent rate, services contributed more than half of the total GDP growth with 56.2 percent followed by the industry with 32.2 percent and agriculture, forestry and fishing with 11.6 percent.

The government also wanted to enhance on tourism development with a target of 10 million international tourists and 35.5 million domestic travelers by 2016. To achieve such goal, the government launched the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign to bring light to the tourism sector. Improvements in infrastructure might be associated with this, because of renovations and roads to enhance mobility and also to intensify infrastructure development.

On education and health

There is a backlog of education issues, from shortage of facilities such as chairs and classrooms to a shortage of students. The administration resolved this through fixing the budget and suggesting responsible parenthood to address students’ personal issues. They promised an increase budget for state colleges and universities through Commission on Higher Education (CHED)’s SUC Reform Roadmap to ensure the quality of students produced from state-funded colleges and universities.

The government also adopted the K to 12 Program due to the need to capacitate the competitiveness of the country’s graduates. This program aims to provide more time for mastery of concepts and skills, to develop lifelong learners and to prepare students  for tertiary education, employment and livelihood.

On the other hand, quite a number of the goals attained came from the health sector. Wider reach of PhilHealth coverage with 85 percent out of the total population, no balance billing policy, more jobs for nurses and midwives, and mosquito traps for dengue were just some of the advancements. According to the Official Gazette, PhilHealth has covered 100 percent of the 5.2 million identified poor households as of May 2012.

Agriculture, tourism and infrastructure

Creation of jobs under these three sectors is the focus of the Aquino administration. Agricultural investments increased for farmers to have higher income, to achieve food sufficiency, sustainability and accessibility.

Spending in infrastructure is one reason of the higher growth achieved. A\ There were 43 completed port development projects as of June 2012. Caticlan airport in Boracay has already been opened, while new airports will be unveiled at Bohol, Legaspi and Laguindingan. Furthermore, it has been said that the problems in NAIA 3 will be fixed by the time the next SONA takes place.

The construction of LRT Line 1 Extension started last June 2011 while the NLEX and SLEX connector will be constructed by year 2015. In terms of energy, the government pursued a strategy towards energy self-sufficiency, affordability and stability attaining the 60 percent target in the year 2011. Aquino shared how his administration addressed the power situation in Mindanao and promoted alternative energy sources as well.

Some priority areas

In the government’s commitment to achieve inclusive growth, social services through human development and poverty reduction should be performed towards national progress.

Through substantial allocation in the budget, the Aquino administration has enhanced the coverage of the 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. This program is a combination of improved health services towards reduction of high maternal mortality and better access to education of children belonging to each household covered.

Moreover, the government pursued counter-insurgency efforts and implementation of Project NOAH as part of the disaster risk reduction and management programs.

ARMM has been one of the top priorities of the Aquino government for infrastructure and human resource development. They postponed the elections and appointed officers-in-charge instead. Aquino also signed a law that synchronized the ARMM elections with the national and local elections last June 2011. The administration also formulated a roadmap to institutionalize good governance practices and ensure sustainable development and peace within the region.

Down to poverty

Overall, the country has achieved things that are worthy to be boasted about come the next SONA. The Reproductive Health Bill and the SIN Tax Bill were both passed amidst opposition from Church and some transnational corporations respectively. High GDP growth, increased investments and better image for business transactions are also one of the highlights. Newly created jobs, improved educational system via K to 12, and universal health care are slowly anchoring themselves to Philippine lifestyle.

With such developments, however, the problem will always be the inequities and inclusiveness of such progress and how such growth would be neutralized across all sectors of the society. With the onset of the 7.8 percent GDP growth, the poverty rate remains the same.

Daang Matuwid will continue on July 22, 2013 as President Aquino delivers his fourth SONA.